números decimales
/numeɾos deθimales/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "numbers with decimals" is números decimales.
This phrase refers to numbers that use a decimal point to show a fraction of a whole. You can also use the adjective decimal on its own to describe a number with a fractional part, such as un número decimal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In most Spanish-speaking countries, a comma is used as the decimal separator instead of a point.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using fractions, the number must match the gender of the noun, such as Medio kilogramo for 0.5 kilogram.
How do you pronounce it?
/numeɾos deθimales/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use a decimal point (punto decimal) instead of a decimal comma (coma decimal) when writing numbers in Spanish.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the dot you use in English to separate decimals is actually used to separate thousands, such as in '1.000' to mean one thousand.
- In Spanish, the word decimal comes from the Latin decimus, which is the same root that gave English the word 'decimate'.
- If you are reading a number like '2,5' aloud in Spanish, you might not say 'dos coma cinco' but rather 'dos con cinco', which literally translates to 'two with five'.
Examples in context
- No entiendo estos números decimales.I don't understand these decimal numbers.
- ¿Cómo se escriben los números decimales en este país?How are decimal numbers written in this country?
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are reviewing a math textbook in a cafe.
- ElenaMateo, ¿puedes ayudarme con estos números decimales?Mateo, can you help me with these decimal numbers?
- MateoSí, Elena, claro que puedo.Yes, Elena, of course I can.
- ElenaEs que me confundo con la coma.It's just that I get confused with the comma.
- MateoNo te preocupes, te lo explico ahora.Don't worry, I'll explain it to you now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
