el número 12
The English phrase "the number 12" is translated into Spanish as el número 12.
el número 12 refers to the specific cardinal number that follows eleven and precedes thirteen. While you use this phrase to identify the number, the word for the number twelve itself is doce. Additionally, if you are referring to a set or group of twelve items, the Spanish noun docena is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you refer to the number itself as a noun, you use the masculine article el with número.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the number 12 is often associated with 'las doce' when referring to midday or midnight, treating the number as a feminine noun because it implies 'las doce horas'.
- The word el in the phrase el número 12 comes from the Latin 'ille', which is a different source than the Arabic 'al-' used in Spanish words like 'alfombra'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the number 12 is linked to the doce apóstoles or 'twelve apostles', making it a frequent symbol in religious architecture and art.
Examples in context
- El resultado final es doceThe final result is twelve
- Vendrán doce personasTwelve people will come
- Hoy es el doce de mayoToday is the 12th of May
- Compré una docena de huevosI bought a dozen eggs
- Doce es más que diezTwelve is more than ten
- Me desperté a las doce de la mañanaI woke up at twelve o'clock in the morning
- Habrá una reunión a las doce y cuartoThere will be a meeting at quarter past twelve
- El número 12 es mi número de la suerte.The number 12 is my lucky number.
- El número 12 es mi favorito.The number 12 is my favorite.
- ¿Sabes cuál es el número 12 en inglés?Do you know what number 12 is in English?
- Escribe el número 12 en el examen.Write the number 12 on the exam.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are organizing a list of house numbers.
- Elena¿Dónde está el número 12, Alejandro?Where is the number 12, Alejandro?
- AlejandroCreo que lo perdí.I think I lost it.
- ElenaMira, aquí está el número 12.Look, here is the number 12.
- AlejandroTienes razón, gracias Elena.You are right, thanks Elena.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, número, CC BY-SA 4.0.
