Greetings dear language enthusiast! If you’ve found your way here, I assume you’re eager to expand your Spanish vocabulary. Today, our journey revolves around the number 17, and more specifically, how to express “seventeenth” in Spanish. Wonder no more! In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “seventeenth” in different contexts. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Seventeenth
If you’re in a formal setting or engaged in a formal conversation, you’ll want to use the appropriate language to convey the number “seventeenth.” Here are a few ways to do so:
1. Decimoséptimo
“Decimoséptimo” is the word that corresponds to “seventeenth” in Spanish. It is a compound word formed by combining “diez” (ten) and “siete” (seven). As you can see, it follows the pattern of the Spanish numbering system where the tens come before the units.
2. El séptimo después del décimo
If you prefer a more descriptive approach, you can say “el séptimo después del décimo,” which means “the seventh after the tenth.” This phrasing might come in handy when you want to emphasize the position of the number.
3. El número diecisiete en orden
Another formal and precise way to express “seventeenth” is by saying “el número diecisiete en orden,” which translates to “the number seventeen in order.” This construction highlights the numerical sequence.
Informal Ways to Say Seventeenth
If you’re engaging in a casual conversation or interacting with friends or family, you can use more colloquial expressions to talk about the number “seventeenth.”
1. El 17º
The most common and informal way to say “seventeenth” in Spanish is by using the abbreviation “17º” (“17th”) with the masculine ordinal indicator. It’s important to note that the ordinal indicator “º” is only used with masculine numbers.
2. El número diecisiete en la lista
A playful way to express “seventeenth” in an informal setting is by saying “el número diecisiete en la lista,” which means “the number seventeen on the list.” Using the phrase “en la lista” adds a touch of informality and creates imagery of a list, making it more engaging.
Regional Variations
While the aforementioned expressions are universally understood across the Spanish-speaking world, there are some regional variations to consider. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples:
1. Decimoséimo
In some regions, instead of “decimoséptimo,” you may encounter the term “decimoséimo” to refer to “seventeenth.” This variation doesn’t deviate significantly, but it is specific to certain dialects and may not be as widely recognized.
2. El diez y siete
In informal contexts within certain Latin American countries, you might come across the expression “el diez y siete” to mean “seventeenth.” While this phrasing adds space between the tens and units, it is not as common and should be used cautiously.
Examples in Context
Now that we’ve covered the formal, informal, and regional variations of saying “seventeenth” in Spanish, let’s explore a few examples to help solidify your understanding:
María ocupó el decimoséptimo lugar en la competencia de natación.
(María took the seventeenth place in the swimming competition.)
En la fiesta, Raúl se sentó en el asiento 17º junto a los demás invitados.
(At the party, Raúl sat in the seventeenth seat next to the other guests.)
El equipo de fútbol obtuvo su decimoséptima victoria de la temporada.
(The soccer team achieved their seventeenth victory of the season.)
Juan fue el septimo después del décimo en recibir su diploma de graduación.
(Juan was the seventh after the tenth to receive his graduation diploma.)
Final Thoughts
With this comprehensive guide at your disposal, you’re now equipped to confidently express “seventeenth” in Spanish. Remember to adapt your language based on the formality of the situation and be mindful of regional variations. Language is a vibrant tapestry, and by adding the seventeenth thread, you continue to weave a rich linguistic fabric. Keep practicing and exploring more Spanish terms, and soon enough, you’ll be speaking with fluency and finesse!
We hope you found this guide informative and engaging. Happy learning!
