número irracional
/numeɾo iraθjonal/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "irrational number" is translated into Spanish as número irracional.
An número irracional refers to a real number that is not rational.
Meaning: real number that is not rational (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "irrational numbers", use números irracionales. In this form, both the noun and the adjective are pluralized.
How do you pronounce it?
/numeɾo iraθjonal/
Did you know?
- The word número shares a common ancestor with the English word 'name', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *nem- which relates to 'assigning' or 'allotting'.
- While irracional is a technical term, in casual Spanish, people might describe a non-repeating decimal as un número que no termina, meaning 'a number that does not end'.
- While English uses 'irrational' to mean 'unreasonable' in everyday speech, a Spanish speaker using irracional in a non-mathematical context is more likely to be describing a lack of logic or reason.
Examples in context
- El número irracional pi es muy famoso.The irrational number pi is very famous.
- No puedo escribir un número irracional exacto.I cannot write an exact irrational number.
- ¿Es este un número irracional?Is this an irrational number?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are studying mathematics together in a library.
- JavierElena, ¿sabes si la raíz cuadrada de dos es un número irracional?Elena, do you know if the square root of two is an irrational number?
- ElenaSí, es un número irracional muy común en clase.Yes, it is a very common irrational number in class.
- JavierTienes razón, lo olvidé por un momento.You are right, I forgot for a moment.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, la matemática es difícil.Don't worry, math is difficult.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “irrational number” translations and entries número irracional, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries irracional, número, CC BY-SA 4.0.
