un número negativo
/un numeɾo neɡatibo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "a negative number" is un número negativo.
The phrase is used to describe a mathematical value that is less than zero.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase follows the standard Spanish noun-adjective order, where the adjective negativo follows the noun número. To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix '-s', resulting in números negativos. If you choose to use the feminine noun cifra (meaning figure or digit) instead of número, the adjective must change to the feminine form negativa to create una cifra negativa.
How do you pronounce it?
/un numeɾo neɡatibo/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American accounting traditions, números negativos are visually represented in red ink, leading to the phrase números rojos to describe being in debt.
- The word número shares an ancient root with the English word 'nimble', as both come from a Proto-Indo-European source meaning 'to take' or 'allot'.
- In casual Spanish conversation, the word negativo is frequently used as a standalone response to mean 'no' or 'incorrect' in military or technical jargon.
Examples in context
- menos cinco-5
- menos diez / diez negativo-10
- menos veintiuno / veintiuno negativo-21
- El resultado es un número negativo.The result is a negative number.
- No puedes usar un número negativo aquí.You cannot use a negative number here.
- ¿Es un número negativo o positivo?Is it a negative number or a positive one?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are studying mathematics together at a library.
- AlejandroElena, ¿qué número es este?Elena, what number is this?
- ElenaEs un número negativo, Alejandro.It is a negative number, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEntiendo, es menor que cero.I see, it is less than zero.
- ElenaExacto, es un número negativo.Exactly, it is a negative number.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries negativo, número, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
