When you start learning a foreign language, one of the first things you will learn is how to count. This skill is the foundation of other aspects of language. Once you're familiar with numbers, you'll be able to measure groups of things and understand prices when shopping. Start little by little and learn to count to 10 in Spanish. From here, you can form other numbers more easily.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Counting To Ten
Step 1. Start by learning to count to the number 5
It may be easier for you to learn to count to 10 (or more!) if you divide numbers into smaller parts. Remembering shorter sequences is easier than trying to learn all the numbers at once. Repeat the words until you can say them without thinking.
- Although generally not included in the count, you can pronounce zero (0) in Spanish as "cero" (SEI-ro).
- One (1) in Spanish is uno (U-no).
- Two (2) in Spanish is dos (doss).
- Three (3) in Spanish is tres (tress).
- Four (4) in Spanish is cuatro (KWA-tro).
- Five (5) in Spanish is cinco (SIN-ko).
Step 2. Learn the numbers 6 to 10
Once you've memorized the Spanish words for the numbers one through five, you're ready to move on to the next set of numbers. Repeat the numbers over and over until you know them as well as the numbers one through five.
- Six (6) in Spanish is seis (SAISS).
- Seven (7) in Spanish is siete (SYE-te).
- Eight (8) in Spanish is ocho (O-cho).
- Nine (9) in Spanish is nueve (NUEI-ve).
- Ten (10) in Spanish is diez (DYESS).
Step 3. Combine them all to count to 10
If both sets of numbers have been memorized, all you have to do is combine them into a series and pronounce them together. Now you know how to count to 10 in Spanish.
- Count to 10 repeatedly until the words feel automatic to you.
- One way to incorporate Spanish words into your everyday life is to try to think automatically using Spanish numbers when you see objects.
- For example, if you have a bowl of fruit in your kitchen that contains 2 apples, 3 bananas, and 7 oranges, think about the number of these fruits in Spanish: dos apples, tres bananas, and siete oranges. You don't necessarily have to know the Spanish words for these fruits.
Part 2 of 3: Learning the Next Numbers
Step 1. Memorize the numbers 11 to 15
There's no reason to stop learning to count at 10 in Spanish. Using the same strategy when learning to count to 10, learn Spanish words for the numbers 11 to 15. Spanish has unique words for numbers.
- For the number eleven (11), say once (OHN-sei).
- For the number twelve (12), say doce (DOH-sei).
- For the number thirteen (13), say (TREY-sei).
- For the number fourteen (14), say 'catorce (kah-TOHR-sei).
- For the number fifteen (15), say quince (KEEN-say).
Step 2. Learn the numbers 16 to 19
As you learn the numbers 16 through 19, you will simultaneously learn how all the numbers in Spanish are formed. Take the word for the number 10, diez, add the sound i ("y" in Spanish which means "and"), then the word for the second digit.
- Sixteen (16) are dieciséis (DYEESS-i-SEISS).
- Seventeen (17) are diecisiete (DYEESS-i-SIEY-tei).
- Eighteen (18) are dieciocho (DYEESS-i-OH-choh).
- Nineteen (19) are diecinueve (DYEESS-i-NUEI-ve).
Step 3. Count in tens
To figure out how to form other numbers in Spanish, you'll need to memorize basic numbers by learning how to count tens. These number words are the basis for pronouncing larger numbers in Spanish.
- For the number twenty (20), say veinte (VEIN-tei).
- For the number thirty (30), say treinta (TREYN-tah).
- For the number forty (40), say cuarenta (kwah-REIN-tah).
- For the number fifty (50), say cincuenta (sin-KWEIN-tah).
- For the number sixty (60), say sesenta (sei-SEIN-tah).
- For the number seventy (70), say setenta (sei-TEIN-tah).
- For the number eighty (80), say ochenta (oh-CHEIN-tah).
- For the number ninety (90), say noventa (noh-VEIN-tah).
Step 4. Understand how to form other numbers
Now that you know how to count to 10, and know how to count the tens, you can easily combine your knowledge to say or write in Spanish the numbers from zero to 99.
- Keep in mind that the spelling may be different, and you will need to emphasize different syllables.
- However, if you understand the basics of number formation, you should at least be able to recognize any number you see or hear in Spanish.
- Like anything else, remember to practice this skill regularly and repeat the words over and over at least once every few days.
- Over time, counting in Spanish will become second nature to you.
Part 3 of 3: Perfecting Pronunciation
Step 1. Review the basic accentuation rules
In Spanish, if you see an access mark above a letter, it tells you that you should emphasize the syllable when pronouncing it. Some Spanish words are pronounced similarly, but have completely different meanings depending on which syllable is stressed.
- An important rule of accentuation in Spanish is that if a word ends in a vowel, n, or s, you place emphasis on the last syllable.
- However, if the word has an accent mark, you should emphasize the syllable and ignore the general rule.
- For example, in numbers, you might notice the accent mark on the number sixteen (16), dieciséis. This means that you have to emphasize the syllable with that accent, which is the last syllable.
Step 2. Watch a TV show or movie in Spanish
Listening to people speak Spanish can help you understand more about how words are connected and how they are pronounced in the context of casual conversation.
- Actors generally speak words without regional dialects-unless the TV show or movie is located in a specific geographic area. This makes it easier for you to learn the language.
- Keep in mind that Spanish is spoken in many countries around the world, which has led to the proliferation of different dialects and variations. Even for native speakers, someone from another country can be difficult to understand.
Step 3. Listen to Spanish music
Music can be an easy way to learn a language because of the rhythm and repetition of the lyrics. If you find music with Spanish lyrics interesting, listening to it every day can help you understand how a word is pronounced.
- If you look back at the beginning when you first learned a language, you'll probably remember that music played an important role. Songs are an efficient way to learn words and how to combine them.
- You may not know exactly what a word means, but an important part of when you first start learning Spanish is listening to the way the word is pronounced and sounded.
Step 4. Talk to a native speaker
When learning a new language, there is no better way to improve your understanding of the language and the way words are pronounced than by having native speakers speak.
- Native speakers can also correct pronunciation and give you tips on how to pronounce a word correctly.
- In particular, if you speak another language in common, a native speaker may be able to give you tips on how to pronounce words in Spanish that you might not otherwise know.
