número
/ˈnumeɾo/masculine
In Spanish, 'number' is translated as número. Wiktionary also lists guarismo.
Meaning: abstract entity used to describe quantity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| número | /ˈnumeɾo/ | masculine |
| guarismo | /ɡwaˈɾismo/ | masculine |
The word número refers to an abstract entity used to describe quantity. Related to this is the verb numerar, which means to label with numbers or to assign numbers to something.
Which one should you use?
número is the general term for a number, whereas guarismo is a technical term used specifically to refer to the individual written digits or symbols used to represent numbers (the equivalent of 'digit' in English).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the number 16 is expressed as dieciséis.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
número is a masculine noun. The plural form is números.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnumeɾo/
Did you know?
- The word número shares its distant ancestor with the English word 'name', as both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *nem- meaning 'to assign' or 'allot'.
- In Spanish, the word número is used to refer to a specific edition of a magazine or journal, whereas English uses both 'number' and 'issue'.
- In Spanish, the phrase el número uno is often used to describe not just the digit 1, but the best or most important person in a group.
Examples in context
- Es un número par.It's an even number.This sentence is useful for identifying an even number using número.Tatoeba #7451885 by arh, translation #9165314 by DJ_Saidez
- Este es su número.This is his number.This sentence demonstrates using número to refer to someone's number.Tatoeba #10200763 by Shishir, translation #13079593 by araneo
- ¿Cuál es tu número?What is your number?This sentence shows how to ask for someone's number using número.Tatoeba #1406135 by marcelostockle, translation #679861 by ulyssemc1
- 423 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is asking Sofía for the number of people coming to a party.
- Alejandro¿Sabes el número de invitados?Do you know the number of guests?
- SofíaSí, el número es veinte.Yes, the number is twenty.
- AlejandroEse número es perfecto para la casa.That number is perfect for the house.
- SofíaExacto, no habrá demasiada gente.Exactly, there won't be too many people.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “number” translations and entries número, guarismo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries número, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
