números enteros
/numeɾos enteɾos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'integers' is translated into Spanish as números enteros.
To express negative integers formally, you can use menos followed by the number, such as menos uno (minus one), menos dos (minus two) or menos diez (minus ten).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of números (numbers) and enteros (whole/entire), literally meaning 'whole numbers'.
Which one should you use?
While números enteros is the standard term, in some mathematical contexts, the word enteros alone is used to refer to the set of integers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is número entero.
How do you pronounce it?
/numeɾos enteɾos/
Did you know?
- The adjective entero can be used to describe a person's state of mind, meaning 'composed' or 'steady'. Saying someone is está entero suggests they are emotionally intact.
- In a culinary context, the word entero is the standard way to order a whole chicken or a whole fish, such as pollo entero, rather than pieces.
- Outside of math class, people often use the phrase número redondo to describe a whole number. This literally translates to 'round number'.
Examples in context
- En matemáticas, los números enteros son muy importantes.In mathematics, integers are very important.
- No podemos usar decimales, solo números enteros.We cannot use decimals, only integers.
- ¿Puedes escribir una lista de números enteros?Can you write a list of integers?
Example conversation
A student is asking a tutor about a math problem.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿esta respuesta debe ser de números enteros?Alejandro, should this answer be integers?
- AlejandroSí, María, solo usa números enteros para este ejercicio.Yes, María, only use integers for this exercise.
- MaríaEntiendo, ¿puedo usar números negativos?I understand, can I use negative numbers?
- AlejandroClaro, los números negativos también son números enteros.Of course, negative numbers are also integers.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
