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.
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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