How to Say 21 in Spanish | Veintiuno Pronunciation Guide
As of 2026, learning a new language is more accessible than ever before. If you're interested in mastering the basics of Spanish, one essential skill to develop early on is counting. Do you already know how to say "twenty-one" (veintiuno) in Spanish? This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to pronounce and use this number effectively in various contexts.
In Spanish, "twenty-one" is spelled "veintiuno" (IPA phonetic pronunciation: /beinˈtjuno/). The stress falls on the second syllable, as usual in Spanish. It's a compound word made up of "veinte" (IPA: /ˈbeinte/), which means "twenty", and "uno" (IPA: /ˈuno/), meaning "one". When saying "veintiuno" out loud, make sure to stress the last syllable. Here's a detailed pronunciation guide:
- The letter v is pronounced like a b in English.
- Ei sounds like a long a in English.
- N is pronounced like the n in English.
- T is pronounced like a hard t in English.
- I sounds like a long e in English.
- U is pronounced like a w in English.
- The final n is pronounced like the n in English.
- O sounds like the o in "go" in English.
Understanding how to say and use numbers like "veintiuno" can be incredibly useful when engaging in everyday conversations. For instance, you might need to mention your age or count items during a shopping trip. Here are some additional example sentences:
- Solo faltan veintiún días para Navidad.
- Hoy es mi vigésimo primer cumpleaños.
- Compré veintiún libros en la librería.
(There are only twenty-one days left until Christmas.)
(Today is my twenty-first birthday.)
(I bought twenty-one books at the bookstore.)
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Cultural Significance of Number 21 in Spanish-Speaking Countries
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The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →The number 21 holds various cultural significances across different Spanish-speaking countries. For instance, it is often associated with coming-of-age celebrations and legal adulthood milestones. In many Latin American cultures, the age of 21 marks a significant transition into adulthood.
Cardinal and Ordinal Forms of 21 in Spanish
In Spanish, numbers can be categorized into cardinal and ordinal forms. Cardinal numbers are used for counting objects, while ordinal numbers indicate the position of something in a sequence.
- Cardinal: veintiuno (twenty-one)
- Ordinal: vigésimo primero (twenty-first)
The ordinal form "vigésimo primero" is a combination of the words "veinte" ("twenty") and "primero" ("first"). This means that in Spanish, 21 can be translated as "vigésimo primero."
Tips for Learning Numbers in Spanish
To master numbers like "veintiuno" in Spanish, it's helpful to practice them frequently. Try using these numbers in different contexts and sentences to reinforce your understanding.
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