números grandes
/numeɾos ɡɾandes/from spelling rules
números grandes is the Spanish phrase for big numbers.
The phrase refers to numbers that possess a high numerical value.
How do you pronounce it?
/numeɾos ɡɾandes/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word billón does not mean a thousand million like the English 'billion'. Instead, it refers to a million million, which is what English speakers call a 'trillion'.
- The punctuation used for números grandes is often the exact mirror image of English, with dots separating thousands and commas marking decimals.
- The word 'grande' in 'números grandes' can sometimes imply that a number is 'important' or 'significant' in a social or mathematical context, rather than just being numerically large.
Examples in context
- Dos millones2 million
- Cinco mil millones5 billion
- Tres billones3 trillion
- Un millón1 million
- Mil millones1 billion
- Tres mil millones3 billion
- Costar un ojo de la caraTo cost an arm and a leg
- No me gustan los números grandes.I do not like big numbers.
- El examen tenía números grandes y difíciles.The exam had big and difficult numbers.
- Estamos trabajando con números grandes este año.We are working with big numbers this year.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing a mathematics project at a cafe.
- MateoElena, ¿te gustan los números grandes?Elena, do you like big numbers?
- ElenaNo, prefiero los números pequeños para este proyecto.No, I prefer small numbers for this project.
- MateoEntiendo, yo también prefiero la simplicidad.I understand, I also prefer simplicity.
- ElenaEs mejor para no cometer errores.It is better to avoid making mistakes.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
