Forty in Spanish
The Spanish word for 'forty' is 'cuarenta', pronounced kwah-REN-tah (IPA: /kwaˈɾenta/). It is a B1-level number.
Pronunciation: kwah-REN-tah
| Spanish | cuarenta |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | kwah-REN-tah · /kwaˈɾenta/ |
| Part of speech | number |
| Level | B1 (beginner-friendly) |
Example Sentences with 'cuarenta'
- El viaje en tren dura cuarenta minutos.
The train trip takes forty minutes. - ¿De verdad esa camisa cuesta cuarenta euros?
Does that shirt really cost forty euros? - Mi papá tiene cuarenta y ocho años.
My dad is forty-eight years old. - Hoy hace mucho calor: el termómetro marca casi cuarenta grados a la sombra.
It is very hot today: the thermometer reads almost forty degrees in the shade.
Common Phrases with 'cuarenta'
- cantarle las cuarenta a alguien
to tell someone off / give them a piece of your mind - la cuarentena
quarantine (a forty-day period)
How to Use 'cuarenta'
Note that 'cuarenta' (40) keeps the 'cua-' of 'cuatro', but 'cuarto' means 'fourth' or 'room' — three similar-looking words learners often confuse. Compounds use 'y': 'cuarenta y cinco' (45).
Regional note: 'Cantarle las cuarenta a alguien' (to give someone a piece of your mind) is especially common in Spain, where it comes from the card game tute.
Keep Counting in Spanish
Numbers 1–15 are unique words, 16–29 are written as one fused word (dieciséis, veintitrés), and from 31 upwards you join the tens and units with y: treinta y uno, cuarenta y cinco. Get the full list, the cien vs. ciento rule and how to give your age, tell the time and read prices in our guide to numbers in Spanish 1–100.
Related Vocabulary
Keep going: review colors and numbers in Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
'Forty' in Spanish is 'cuarenta', pronounced kwah-REN-tah.
It is spelled c-u-a-r-e-n-t-a.
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