Large numbers in Spanish follow specific rules for counting, agreement, and formatting. This section covers the vocabulary needed to talk about thousands, millions, and beyond, as well as practical usage tips.
Thousands and Millions
Thousands and millions are the building blocks for large numbers in Spanish. Thousands are formed by adding mil after a number (e.g., dos mil = 2,000), while millions require the word millón (singular) or millones (plural) along with the preposition de when followed by a noun (e.g., un millón de personas).
Ordinal Numbers and Large Counts
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate position or order (first, second, third, etc.) and become important when dealing with large counts or sequences. In Spanish, ordinals agree in gender and number and are often used in contexts like dates, rankings, and historical events.
Write 'twenty-first century' in Spanish.
siglo veintiuno
'Siglo veintiuno' is correct for the 21st century; ordinals (vigésimo primero) are rarely used for centuries in modern usage.
This is the third chapter of the book.
Este es el tercer capítulo del libro.
'Tercer' is used before singular masculine nouns; 'tercero' is used when the noun is omitted.
Practical Examples
Here are some examples of large numbers in context:
- ,345 → dos mil trescientos cuarenta y cinco
- ,000,000 → un millón
- ,200,000 → tres millones doscientos mil
- ,001 → cien mil uno
- ,234,567 → un millón doscientos treinta y cuatro mil quinientos sesenta y siete
- ,345,678 → doce millones trescientos cuarenta y cinco mil seiscientos setenta y ocho
Summary
- Use mil for thousands (no plural: mil, dos mil, tres mil)
- Use millón/ millones for millions; use de before a noun (un millón de dólares)
- Numbers between thousands and millions are combined normally (e.g., dos millones quinientos mil)
- Hundred, thousand, and million words agree with the number but only millón changes to plural millones
- Use y (and) between tens and units (veintiuno, treinta y dos)
- Ordinals are used for order, not quantity (primero, segundo, tercero)
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
