ocho
/ˈot͡ʃo/
The Spanish word for eight is ocho.
Meaning: cardinal number 8 (num)
Which one should you use?
The colloquial variation ocho y pico is used to mean eight and a bit or around eight.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a cardinal number, ocho is invariable, meaning it does not change to match gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈotʃo/
Did you know?
- In the context of traditional Spanish dance, such as Flamenco, a 'cycle of eight' is a common rhythmic structure used to organize the footwork.
- The Spanish word ocho and the English word 'eight' are distant cousins, both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *oḱtṓw.
- While English speakers say 'eight o'clock', a Spanish speaker will simply say 'son las ocho', meaning 'they are the eight'.
Examples in context
- Se va a las ocho.He leaves at eight.This sentence shows how to use ocho when referring to a specific time.Tatoeba #2223545 by Shishir, translation #1176171 by paula_guisard
- Él tiene ocho años.He is eight.This sentence demonstrates using ocho to state an age.Tatoeba #596273 by Shishir, translation #288654 by CK
- Llámame a las ocho.Call me at eight.This sentence illustrates using ocho when setting a time for a call.Tatoeba #10470140 by Shishir, translation #10469863 by AlanF_US
- Llegaré a las ocho y picoI'll arrive around eight.
- 184 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are at a bakery counting pastries.
- SofíaNecesitamos ocho panes, por favor.We need eight loaves of bread, please.
- MateoEstá bien, yo los pongo en la bolsa.Alright, I will put them in the bag.
- Sofía¿Solo ocho o queremos más?Only eight or do we want more?
- MateoCon ocho es suficiente para hoy.Eight is enough for today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eight” translations and entries ocho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ocho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
