INTRODUCTION |
Today, we’re going to cover Counting 0-10. In Spanish, counting is very straightforward, so let’s jump right in. |
GRAMMAR POINT |
zero - cero |
cero |
one - uno |
uno |
two - dos |
dos |
three - tres |
tres |
four - cuatro |
cuatro |
five - cinco |
cinco |
six - seis |
seis |
seven - siete |
siete |
eight - ocho |
ocho |
nine - nueve |
nueve |
ten - diez |
diez |
Counting things in Spanish is very straightforward. The number is followed by the thing. |
For example, “one person” is una persona. |
una persona |
The number comes first, followed by the thing; in this case, people. |
In Spanish, nouns have singular and plural forms. Therefore, if there are two people, you should say dos personas. |
dos personas |
In Spanish, nouns also have gender. In case of the word for “people” persona, the gender is feminine. In most cases, you shouldn’t worry about whether the thing you are counting is feminine or masculine. However, you should in the case of “one” which is uno (for masculine), una (for feminine), or any other number in which you need one appears like twenty-one, which veinte uno (for masculine) and veinte una (for feminine). |
veinte uno (for masculine) and veinte una (for feminine). |
Or like thirty-one, treinta y uno (for masculine). |
And treinta y una (for feminine). |
And so on… |
Again, there is an exception. There is always an exception. The exception is “eleven,” which has only one form, once. This can be used for feminine and masculine, once. |
As you already know, Spanish is one of the languages derived from Latin. In the case of numbers, all numbers we have seen today is derived from Latin words, all, but “zero” cero, which as you probably know, the concept wasn’t known by Romans. It was in India that the concept of zero arose and it was via the Arabs and their conquerors that this number came to Europe. In this case, the origin of cero is traced back to the Classic Arab word meaning “empty.” “Empty” in Spanish is vacío. |
Outro
|
Okay, to close out today’s lesson, we'd like for you to practice what you've just learned. I'll provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you are responsible for saying it aloud. You’ll have a few seconds before I give you the answer, so buena suerte, that means “good luck” in Spanish. |
Ok, here we go! |
one person - una persona |
una persona |
una persona |
two people - dos personas |
dos personas |
dos personas |
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