Counting by tens is an essential part of learning Spanish numbers, helping students efficiently count, tell time, and handle higher numerical concepts. This guide covers everything from basics to advanced usage.
Counting by tens in Spanish is a fundamental skill that helps learners handle larger numbers, tell time, and perform basic arithmetic with confidence. The numbers 10 through 100 follow a simple pattern using the root words for each decade, making them easy to memorize. Beyond 100, Spanish continues the pattern with "ciento" (hundred) and multiples of ten, but also introduces new word forms for hundreds and thousands. Understanding these rules is key to mastering Spanish numerals.
Counting by Tens from 10 to
The basic tens in Spanish are: diez (10), veinte (20), treinta (30), cuarenta (40), cincuenta (50), sesenta (60), setenta (70), ochenta (80), noventa (90), and cien (100). These form the foundation for counting by tens.
- Diez (10)
- Veinte (20)
- Treinta (30)
- Cuarenta (40)
- Cincuenta (50)
- Sesenta (60)
- Setenta (70)
- Ochenta (80)
- Noventa (90)
- Cien (100)
These words are used exactly as-is when counting by tens: diez, veinte, treinta, etc. Unlike English, Spanish does not add "and" until 30 (e.g., treinta y uno).
Counting by Tens from 100 to
After 100, Spanish uses ciento (not "cien") for numbers 101-199, then introduces new words for 200, 300, etc. Counting by hundreds is important before returning to tens.
- Cien (100)
- Doscientos (200)
- Trescientos (300)
- Cuatrocientos (400)
- Quinientos (500)
- Seiscientos (600)
- Setecientos (700)
- Ochocientos (800)
- Novecientos (900)
- Mil (1000)
After "cien," use these for the hundred marks: doscientos, trescientos, etc. "Mil" begins the thousands.
Tens and Hundreds in Context
Combining tens and hundreds involves placing the hundred first, then the tens. For example, 250 is "doscientos cincuenta," 780 is "setecientos ochenta."
- – ciento cincuenta
- – doscientos treinta
- – cuatrocientos setenta
- – seiscientos ochenta
- – novecientos veinte
Order is always hundreds + tens. No commas or "and" is needed in writing (except in speech: "ciento y cincuenta").
___ cuatrocientos setenta.
What is '470' in Spanish?
cuatrocientos setenta
'470' is 'cuatrocientos setenta' following the hundreds + tens order.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use "cien" after 100 (use "ciento" instead): 150 is ciento cincuenta, not cien cincuenta.
- Don’t add "y" between hundreds and tens (except after 100): 230 is doscientos treinta, not doscientos y treinta.
- Don’t confuse "veinte" (20) and "cien" (100); they look and sound different but are roots for larger numbers.
Practicing with Examples
Here are some sample sentences counting by tens:
- Trabajo 30 horas a la semana. (I work 30 hours a week.)
- Tengo 80 años. (I am 80 years old.)
- El edificio tiene 700 pisos. (The building has 700 floors.)
- Compré 100 manzanas. (I bought 100 apples.)
- La reunión es a las 90 minutos. (The meeting is in 90 minutes.)
Counting by tens is not just about numbers—it’s about context.
Summary Table
| Spanish Number | English Number | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| diez | Tengo diez lápices. | I have ten pencils. | |
| veinte | Veinte personas llegaron. | Twenty people arrived. | |
| treinta | Trabajo treinta horas. | I work thirty hours. | |
| cuarenta | Ella tiene cuarenta años. | She is forty years old. | |
| cincuenta | Compré cincuenta manzanas. | I bought fifty apples. | |
| sesenta | El libro cuesta sesenta pesos. | The book costs sixty pesos. | |
| setenta | Vivo en el piso setenta. | I live on the seventieth floor. | |
| ochenta | Tengo ochenta euros. | I have eighty euros. | |
| noventa | La reunión es en noventa minutos. | The meeting is in ninety minutes. | |
| cien | Tengo cien dólares. | I have one hundred dollars. | |
| doscientos | Hay doscientos estudiantes. | There are two hundred students. | |
| trescientos | Recibí trescientos correos. | I received three hundred emails. | |
| cuatrocientos | Cuatrocientos libros llegaron. | Four hundred books arrived. | |
| quinientos | Quinientos votos fueron emitidos. | Five hundred votes were cast. | |
| seiscientos | Seiscientos clientes visitaron. | Six hundred clients visited. | |
| setecientos | El hotel tiene setecientas habitaciones. | The hotel has seven hundred rooms. | |
| ochocientos | Ochocientas sillas están listas. | Eight hundred chairs are ready. | |
| novecientos | Novecientos kilómetros por hora. | Nine hundred kilometers per hour. | |
| mil | Mil personas asistieron. | A thousand people attended. |
What is the English translation of 'setenta'?
seventy
'setenta' translates to 'seventy' in English.
Additional Resources
- Spanish Numbers: From 1 to 100 – A complete guide for beginners.
- Spanish Hundreds and Thousands – Understanding larger numbers.
- Telling Time in Spanish – Applying numbers to everyday life.
Counting by tens is a foundational step toward numerical fluency in Spanish. Keep practicing!
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
