Basic Concepts
In Spanish, large numbers are expressed by combining smaller number words in specific patterns. The word for thousand is mil, and for million, millón (plural millones). Numbers larger than a million follow similar patterns, such as mil millones for a billion in some Spanish-speaking countries, but usage can vary regionally.
Thousand and Beyond
The number 1,000 is simply mil, and it does not use the plural form when combined with other numbers (e.g., dos mil for 2,000). Unlike English, Spanish does not use the word "and" before hundreds or thousands (e.g., mil doscientos for 1,200, not mil y doscientos).
Million and Plurals
One million is un millón. When referring to more than one million, the plural form millones is required, as in dos millones (two million). Unlike English, the word millón is a noun and must agree in number. After millón or millones, the word de is used before a noun or another number (e.g., dos millones de personas).
Large Number Examples
- 1,000 = mil
- 10,000 = diez mil
- 100,000 = cien mil
- 1,000,000 = un millón
- 2,500,000 = dos millones quinientos mil
- 1,000,000,000 = mil millones (note this can differ by country)
Tips for Pronunciation
When pronouncing large numbers in Spanish, remember that millón stresses the second syllable: mi-llÓN. Also, mil is pronounced as a single syllable. These help maintain clarity when listing or reading numbers aloud.
