decimal
/deθiˈmal/
The Spanish word for the decimal number system is decimal.
This noun refers to the decimal system. When speaking about decimals, it is common to separate the whole number part from the fractional part using the word con (with). To express negative decimals, add the word menos (minus) before the number. If you are discussing percentages, you can read a decimal format as a percentage by adding the phrase por ciento (percent).
Meaning: number system (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the word coma might be used instead of punto when referring specifically to the decimal point.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form decimales is used when referring to decimal places in a number.
How do you pronounce it?
/deθiˈmal/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the 'decimal point' is used as a thousands separator, meaning 1.000 represents one thousand rather than one.
- The term decimal is derived from the Late Latin decimālis, which comes from the Latin decimus, meaning 'tenth'.
- The word decimal is shared across many Romance languages, such as French and Italian, because they all evolved from the same Latin root.
Examples in context
- La constante matemática Pi a 5 decimales es "3.14159".The mathematical constant Pi to 5 decimal places is "3.14159."This sentence is useful for showing how to refer to the number of decimal places using decimales.Tatoeba #4631593 by AucaCoyan, translation #4631342 by DostKaplan
- El número π es tres punto uno cuatro uno seisThe number π is three point one four one six
- El veinticinco por ciento está representado por la fracción decimal 0.25Twenty-five percent is represented by the decimal fraction 0.25
- Tres coma catorceThree point one four
- menos cero punto setenta y cincoMinus zero point seventy-five
- veinticinco por cientoTwenty-five percent
- nueve dólares con noventa y nueve centavosNine dollars with ninety-nine cents
- El sistema decimal es muy importante en la contabilidad.The decimal system is very important in accounting.
- Usamos el sistema decimal para casi todas las operaciones.We use the decimal system for almost all operations.
Example conversation
Daniel and Maria are studying math together.
- DanielNo entiendo bien este sistema decimal.I don't really understand this decimal system.
- MaríaEs fácil, Daniel, solo cuenta de diez en diez.It's easy, Daniel, just count by tens.
- DanielEntonces, ¿el decimal es la base de todo?So, is the decimal the basis of everything?
- MaríaSí, María te explica mejor si quieres.Yes, Maria can explain it better to you if you want.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry decimal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries decimal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
