Numbers 1 to 10 (uno, dos, tres)

Numbers 1 to 5

Let's start counting! The numbers 1 through 5 in Spanish are uno, dos, tres, cuatro, and cinco.

NumberSpanish
1uno
2dos
3tres
4cuatro
5cinco

When you use the number 1 on its own as a pronoun, it is uno. However, when it comes directly before a masculine noun, it drops the -o and becomes un.

I have one.
Tengo uno.
The boy has a book, but I have two.
El chico tiene un libro, pero yo tengo dos.

To talk about quantities, simply place the number directly before the plural noun.

We see three cars in the street.
Vemos tres coches en la calle.
The white car has four doors.
El coche blanco tiene cuatro puertas.
I see five birds in the tree.
Veo cinco pájaros en el árbol.

Numbers 6 to 10

Next are the numbers 6 through 10: seis, siete, ocho, nueve, and diez.

NumberSpanish
6seis
7siete
8ocho
9nueve
10diez

Unlike the number 1, the rest of these numbers never change their endings. They stay exactly the same whether they describe a masculine or feminine noun.

My house has six bedrooms.
Mi casa tiene seis dormitorios.
The apartment has seven windows.
El piso tiene siete ventanas.
I read eight books in a year.
Leo ocho libros en un año.
We want ten green apples.
Queremos diez manzanas verdes.

Expressing age

In English, we say that someone is a certain age. In Spanish, you say that someone has years. To do this, use the verb tener (to have) followed by the number and the word años (years).

My sister is six years old.
Mi hermana tiene seis años.
My daughter is nine years old.
Mi hija tiene nueve años.

Here is a quick recap to practice counting:

I have one, you have two, and he has three.
Yo tengo uno, tú tienes dos y él tiene tres.