número uno
/numeɾo uno/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'number one' is translated into Spanish as número uno.
número uno is used to refer to the first item in a numbered list or to the person holding the top position in a ranking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of 'number one', composed of número (number) and uno (one).
How do you pronounce it?
/numeɾo uno/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase el número uno can be used as a euphemism for 'the first bowel movement of the day' in a medical or childcare context.
- The word número is used in Spanish to describe not only a digit but also a musical composition or a specific act in a variety show.
- The root of número comes from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'to take' or 'to allot', suggesting that numbers were originally seen as things assigned to people.
Examples in context
- ¡Eres el número uno!You are number one!Tatoeba #1526328 by marcelostockle, translation #1481940 by yethay
- Siempre he sido el número uno.I've always been number one.Tatoeba #1181144 by marcelostockle, translation #1181146 by marcelostockle
- Yanni es el sospechoso número uno.Yanni is the number one suspect.Tatoeba #10179892 by saverius, translation #10179829 by Amastan
- El número uno en la lista es importante.The number one on the list is important.
- Necesitamos una persona que sea la número uno en su campo.We need a person who is number one in their field.
- ¡Eres el número uno en nuestra pandilla!You're the number one in our gang!
- Para mí, eres la número uno.For me, you're the number one.
- ¡Eres el mejor hermano del mundo!You're the best brother in the world!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about a music chart.
- María¿Cuál es el número uno esta semana?Which one is number one this week?
- JavierLa nueva canción de Shakira es el número uno.Shakira's new song is number one.
- MaríaEs normal, ella siempre llega al número uno.It's normal, she always reaches number one.
- JavierSí, es la artista número uno del mundo.Yes, she is the number one artist in the world.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries número, uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
