Saying “Four” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Grammar Guide

Mastering numbers is fundamental to any language, and Spanish is no exception. Knowing how to say “four” in Spanish, along with its various grammatical nuances, is crucial for basic communication, whether you’re counting objects, telling time, or just expressing quantities. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using the Spanish word for “four,” cuatro. This guide is perfect for beginners taking their first steps in Spanish, intermediate learners aiming to refine their numerical skills, and anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of Spanish grammar.

This comprehensive guide not only covers the basic translation but also delves into the grammatical context, common usages, and potential pitfalls. By the end of this article, you will confidently use “cuatro” in various situations and understand its role within the broader framework of Spanish numerical expressions.

Let’s dive in and unlock the secrets of this essential Spanish word!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Cuatro
3. Structural Breakdown of Cuatro
4. Types and Categories of Numerical Usage
5. Examples of Cuatro in Use
   • Counting
   • Telling Time
   • Dates
   • Addresses
   • Measurements
6. Usage Rules for Cuatro
7. Common Mistakes When Using Cuatro
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
   • Ordinal Numbers
   • Fractions
   • Idiomatic Expressions
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
11. Conclusion

Definition of Cuatro

In Spanish, the word for “four” is cuatro. It functions primarily as a cardinal number, indicating quantity. Cardinal numbers are used to count and specify the number of items or entities. Cuatro is invariable in gender; it does not change based on whether the noun it modifies is masculine or feminine. However, its form may change when used in ordinal numbers (fourth) or fractions (one-fourth).

Cuatro is essential for basic arithmetic, expressing age, telling time, specifying dates, and indicating quantities in various contexts. Its pronunciation is straightforward: “KWAH-troh,” with the emphasis on the first syllable. Understanding its definition and basic usage is a cornerstone of early Spanish language acquisition.

Structural Breakdown of Cuatro

The word cuatro consists of six letters and two syllables: cua and tro. There is no complex morphology associated with cuatro itself, as it does not change form to agree with gender or number. It simply represents the numerical value of four. However, its usage within a sentence can affect the surrounding words. For instance, when used in conjunction with a noun, the noun must agree in number (singular or plural) with the quantity expressed.

For example: “Tengo cuatro manzanas” (I have four apples). Here, manzanas (apples) is plural to reflect the quantity of four.

Types and Categories of Numerical Usage

Numbers in Spanish, including cuatro, can be used in several different ways. Understanding these categories can help you use numbers accurately and effectively. Here are some main categories:

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are used for counting and indicating quantity. Cuatro is a cardinal number. Examples include: “cuatro libros” (four books), “cuatro sillas” (four chairs).

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers indicate position in a sequence. The ordinal form of “four” is “cuarto” (fourth). Examples include: “el cuarto piso” (the fourth floor), “la cuarta persona” (the fourth person).

Fractions

Fractions represent parts of a whole. “One-fourth” is translated as “un cuarto” in Spanish. Examples include: “un cuarto de hora” (a quarter of an hour), “un cuarto de pastel” (a quarter of the cake).

Percentages

Percentages express a proportion out of one hundred. While cuatro itself isn’t directly used in percentages very often, it can be part of a larger percentage number. For example, “cuarenta por ciento” (forty percent).

Telephone Numbers and Addresses

Cuatro is commonly used in telephone numbers and addresses, just as “four” is in English. It is pronounced as usual: “cuatro.” Example: “Mi número de teléfono es 555-123-4567” (My phone number is 555-123-4567).

Examples of Cuatro in Use

To illustrate the usage of cuatro, let’s explore various contexts with example sentences and translations. This will provide a practical understanding of how to incorporate cuatro into everyday conversations and written communication.

Counting

Cuatro is fundamental for counting objects, people, or any countable items. The following table provides several examples:

Spanish	English
Tengo cuatro hermanos.	I have four siblings.
Hay cuatro sillas en la mesa.	There are four chairs at the table.
Compré cuatro manzanas.	I bought four apples.
Vi cuatro pájaros en el jardín.	I saw four birds in the garden.
Necesito cuatro huevos para la receta.	I need four eggs for the recipe.
Ella tiene cuatro gatos.	She has four cats.
El libro tiene cuatro capítulos.	The book has four chapters.
En la caja hay cuatro juguetes.	There are four toys in the box.
Visitamos cuatro países en Europa.	We visited four countries in Europe.
El equipo ganó cuatro partidos.	The team won four games.
Conté cuatro estrellas fugaces anoche.	I counted four shooting stars last night.
Hay cuatro estaciones en el año.	There are four seasons in the year.
Compré cuatro boletos para el concierto.	I bought four tickets for the concert.
En el parque hay cuatro bancos.	There are four benches in the park.
El pastel está cortado en cuatro pedazos.	The cake is cut into four pieces.
En mi familia somos cuatro personas.	There are four people in my family.
Hay cuatro ventanas en esta habitación.	There are four windows in this room.
El rompecabezas tiene cuatro piezas faltantes.	The puzzle has four missing pieces.
En la oficina trabajan cuatro empleados.	Four employees work in the office.
Preparé cuatro sándwiches para el almuerzo.	I made four sandwiches for lunch.
En la granja hay cuatro vacas.	There are four cows on the farm.
Recibí cuatro cartas hoy.	I received four letters today.
En el jardín crecieron cuatro rosas.	Four roses grew in the garden.
El edificio tiene cuatro pisos.	The building has four floors.
En la fiesta había cuatro payasos.	There were four clowns at the party.

Telling Time

When telling time, cuatro is used to indicate the hour “four o’clock” and can also be part of expressions involving minutes. Here are some examples:

Spanish	English
Son las cuatro en punto.	It’s four o’clock sharp.
Son las cuatro y cuarto.	It’s quarter past four.
Son las cuatro y media.	It’s half past four. (Technically, this means 4:30)
Son las cuatro menos cuarto.	It’s quarter to four. (Technically, this means 3:45)
Llegaré a las cuatro.	I will arrive at four o’clock.
La reunión es a las cuatro de la tarde.	The meeting is at four in the afternoon.
Necesito salir a las cuatro y diez.	I need to leave at ten past four.
Mi clase empieza a las cuatro y veinte.	My class starts at twenty past four.
Terminamos a las cuatro menos diez.	We finish at ten to four.
Es casi las cuatro.	It’s almost four o’clock.
¿Qué hora es? Son las cuatro.	What time is it? It’s four o’clock.
El programa empieza a las cuatro en punto.	The program starts at four o’clock sharp.
Nos vemos a las cuatro y media.	We’ll see each other at half past four.
Salgo del trabajo a las cuatro menos cuarto.	I leave work at quarter to four.
La película dura cuatro horas.	The movie lasts four hours.
Tenemos cuatro horas para terminar el proyecto.	We have four hours to finish the project.
El tren sale a las cuatro y cinco.	The train leaves at five past four.
La cena está lista a las cuatro y cuarenta y cinco.	Dinner is ready at quarter to five (four forty-five).
El concierto empieza a las cuatro y treinta.	The concert starts at four thirty.
Mi cita es a las cuatro y quince.	My appointment is at four fifteen.
Llegué a casa a las cuatro en punto.	I arrived home at four o’clock sharp.
Mi vuelo sale a las cuatro de la mañana.	My flight leaves at four in the morning.
La tienda cierra a las cuatro de la tarde.	The store closes at four in the afternoon.
Necesito despertarme a las cuatro y media.	I need to wake up at half past four.
El sol se pone a las cuatro y cuarenta.	The sun sets at four forty.

Dates

While you generally use ordinal numbers for the first day of the month, cardinal numbers are used for subsequent dates. Here’s how cuatro fits in:

Spanish	English
Hoy es cuatro de mayo.	Today is May fourth.
Nací el cuatro de julio.	I was born on July fourth.
La reunión es el cuatro de enero.	The meeting is on January fourth.
El festival comienza el cuatro de agosto.	The festival starts on August fourth.
Celebramos el aniversario el cuatro de noviembre.	We celebrate the anniversary on November fourth.
El examen es el cuatro de marzo.	The exam is on March fourth.
La fiesta es el cuatro de junio.	The party is on June fourth.
Nos vemos el cuatro de octubre.	We’ll see each other on October fourth.
El concierto es el cuatro de septiembre.	The concert is on September fourth.
Regreso el cuatro de diciembre.	I return on December fourth.
El cuatro de febrero es mi día libre.	February fourth is my day off.
El cuatro de abril es un día festivo.	April fourth is a holiday.
El cuatro de mayo celebramos Cinco de Mayo.	On May fourth, we prepare for Cinco de Mayo.
El cuatro de julio es el Día de la Independencia en EE. UU.	July fourth is Independence Day in the USA.
El cuatro de agosto es el cumpleaños de mi hermano.	August fourth is my brother’s birthday.
El cuatro de septiembre empezamos las clases.	We start classes on September fourth.
El cuatro de octubre es el Día de San Francisco.	October fourth is Saint Francis Day.
El cuatro de noviembre es el Día de la Unidad Nacional en Italia.	November fourth is National Unity Day in Italy.
El cuatro de diciembre es el Día de Santa Bárbara.	December fourth is Saint Barbara’s Day.
Nos casamos el cuatro de junio.	We got married on June fourth.

Addresses

Cuatro is used in addresses just as “four” is in English. Here are some examples:

Spanish	English
Vivo en la calle Principal, número cuatro.	I live on Main Street, number four.
Su oficina está en el edificio número cuatro.	His office is in building number four.
Envía la carta al apartamento cuatro.	Send the letter to apartment four.
La tienda está en el local número cuatro.	The store is in unit number four.
El paquete debe entregarse en la casa número cuatro.	The package should be delivered to house number four.
El restaurante está en la avenida Central, número cuatro.	The restaurant is on Central Avenue, number four.
Mi dirección es Calle del Sol, número cuatro.	My address is Sun Street, number four.
El museo está en la plaza Mayor, número cuatro.	The museum is on Main Square, number four.
La escuela está en la calle Libertad, número cuatro.	The school is on Liberty Street, number four.
El banco está en la esquina de la calle uno y cuatro.	The bank is on the corner of street one and four.
La biblioteca está en la calle Paz, número cuatro.	The library is on Peace Street, number four.
El teatro está en la avenida de las Artes, número cuatro.	The theater is on Arts Avenue, number four.
El cine está en la calle Estrella, número cuatro.	The cinema is on Star Street, number four.
El hotel está en la calle Luna, número cuatro.	The hotel is on Moon Street, number four.
La farmacia está en la calle Salud, número cuatro.	The pharmacy is on Health Street, number four.
El supermercado está en la avenida del Comercio, número cuatro.	The supermarket is on Commerce Avenue, number four.
La iglesia está en la plaza de la Iglesia, número cuatro.	The church is on Church Square, number four.
El gimnasio está en la calle Deporte, número cuatro.	The gym is on Sport Street, number four.
La peluquería está en la avenida de la Belleza, número cuatro.	The hair salon is on Beauty Avenue, number four.
La panadería está en la calle del Pan, número cuatro.	The bakery is on Bread Street, number four.

Measurements

Cuatro can also be used with measurements, such as weight, height, or distance. Here are some examples:

Spanish	English
La mesa mide cuatro metros de largo.	The table is four meters long.
El bebé pesa cuatro kilos.	The baby weighs four kilograms.
La pared tiene cuatro metros de altura.	The wall is four meters high.
Corrí cuatro kilómetros hoy.	I ran four kilometers today.
Necesito cuatro litros de agua.	I need four liters of water.
El paquete pesa cuatro libras.	The package weighs four pounds.
La piscina tiene cuatro metros de profundidad.	The pool is four meters deep.
El jardín tiene cuatro metros cuadrados.	The garden is four square meters.
Compré cuatro metros de tela.	I bought four meters of fabric.
El edificio tiene cuatro metros de ancho.	The building is four meters wide.
La cuerda mide cuatro metros.	The rope measures four meters.
El terreno tiene cuatro hectáreas.	The land has four hectares.
La caja mide cuatro centímetros de alto.	The box is four centimeters tall.
El camino tiene cuatro metros de largo.	The path is four meters long.
El pastel pesa cuatrocientos gramos.	The cake weighs four hundred grams.
El marco mide cuatro pulgadas.	The frame measures four inches.
La ventana tiene cuatro pies de ancho.	The window is four feet wide.
El tubo mide cuatro centímetros de diámetro.	The pipe measures four centimeters in diameter.
El cuadro tiene cuatro centímetros de espesor.	The painting is four centimeters thick.
El libro tiene cuatrocientas páginas.	The book has four hundred pages.

Usage Rules for Cuatro

When using cuatro, remember that it is invariable in gender. It does not change whether the noun it modifies is masculine or feminine. The noun, however, must agree in number. For example, you would say “cuatro libros” (four books) and not “cuatro libro.”

When used in compound numbers (numbers greater than ten), cuatro combines with other number words. For example, “fourteen” is “catorce.”

For ordinal numbers, “fourth” is “cuarto” and agrees in gender with the noun it modifies: “el cuarto piso” (the fourth floor, masculine) and “la cuarta puerta” (the fourth door, feminine).

Common Mistakes When Using Cuatro

One common mistake is failing to make the noun plural when using cuatro. Remember, if you have four of something, the noun must be plural.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Tengo cuatro libro.	Tengo cuatro libros.	“Libro” must be pluralized to “libros” to agree with the quantity.
Hay cuatro silla.	Hay cuatro sillas.	“Silla” must be pluralized to “sillas” to agree with the quantity.

Another error is confusing cuatro with cuarto (fourth). It’s crucial to differentiate between the cardinal and ordinal forms.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Vivo en el cuatro piso.	Vivo en el cuarto piso.	Use “cuarto” (fourth) for ordinal position.
Este es el cuatro libro de la serie.	Este es el cuarto libro de la serie.	Use “cuarto” (fourth) for ordinal position.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of cuatro with the following exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “four” in Spanish.

Exercise	Answer
1. Tengo ______ gatos.	cuatro
2. Hoy es el ______ de julio.	cuatro
3. Vivo en el ______ piso.	cuarto
4. Necesito ______ huevos para la torta.	cuatro
5. Son las ______ de la tarde.	cuatro
6. Compré ______ manzanas y dos peras.	cuatro
7. Este es el ______ capítulo del libro.	cuarto
8. Hay ______ sillas en esta habitación.	cuatro
9. El bebé pesa ______ kilos.	cuatro
10. La carrera es el ______ de mayo.	cuatro

Translate the following sentences into Spanish using cuatro or its appropriate form.

Exercise	Answer
1. I have four sisters.	Tengo cuatro hermanas.
2. Today is the fourth of June.	Hoy es el cuatro de junio.
3. He lives on the fourth floor.	Él vive en el cuarto piso.
4. We need four chairs.	Necesitamos cuatro sillas.
5. It is four o’clock.	Son las cuatro en punto.
6. I bought four tickets.	Compré cuatro boletos.
7. This is the fourth time I have seen this movie.	Esta es la cuarta vez que veo esta película.
8. There are four seasons in the year.	Hay cuatro estaciones en el año.
9. The table is four meters long.	La mesa mide cuatro metros de largo.
10. My birthday is on the fourth of July.	Mi cumpleaños es el cuatro de julio.

Advanced Topics

Beyond the basics, there are more nuanced ways to use cuatro and related terms in Spanish. Understanding these advanced topics will enhance your fluency and comprehension.

Ordinal Numbers

As mentioned earlier, “fourth” is cuarto in Spanish. Ordinal numbers indicate order or position. Pay attention to gender agreement when using ordinal numbers. Examples include: “el cuarto libro” (the fourth book, masculine) and “la cuarta casa” (the fourth house, feminine).

Ordinal numbers are typically used for dates only for the first day of the month (“el primero de mayo” – the first of May). For all other days, cardinal numbers are used.

Fractions

The fraction “one-fourth” is “un cuarto” in Spanish. It can also mean “a quarter.” For example, “un cuarto de hora” means “a quarter of an hour” (15 minutes). Fractions are used in various contexts, from cooking to measuring time.

When expressing fractions larger than one, the numerator is a cardinal number, and the denominator is an ordinal number. For example, “three-fourths” is “tres cuartos.”

Idiomatic Expressions

Spanish, like any language, has idiomatic expressions that include numbers. While there aren’t many common idioms specifically using “cuatro,” understanding such expressions can enhance your comprehension and make your Spanish sound more natural.

For example, while not directly using “cuatro,” the phrase “a las cuatro vientos” means “to the four winds,” similar to the English expression. While not directly related to the number four, it illustrates how numbers can appear in idiomatic expressions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about using cuatro in Spanish:

1. How do you pronounce cuatro?
   Cuatro is pronounced “KWAH-troh,” with the emphasis on the first syllable.
2. Is cuatro masculine or feminine?
   Cuatro is invariable in gender; it doesn’t change based on the noun it modifies.
3. What is the ordinal form of cuatro?
   The ordinal form is cuarto, meaning “fourth.” It agrees in gender with the noun it modifies (el cuarto piso, la cuarta casa).
4. How do you say “one-fourth” in Spanish?
   “One-fourth” is un cuarto, which can also mean “a quarter.”
5. When do you use cuatro in dates?
   You use cuatro for the fourth day of the month: el cuatro de mayo (May fourth).
6. How do you say “fourteen” in Spanish?
   “Fourteen” is catorce.
7. Is it correct to say “Tengo cuatro libro“?
   No, it is incorrect. You must say Tengo cuatro libros, making the noun plural.
8. What is the difference between cuatro and cuarto?
   Cuatro is the cardinal number “four,” used for counting. Cuarto is the ordinal number “fourth,” used to indicate position in a sequence.
9. Are there any idioms that use the word cuatro?
   While not a direct use of “cuatro,” the expression “a los cuatro vientos” (to the four winds) exists. Idioms directly using “cuatro” are not very common.
10. How do I use cuatro when telling time?
    You use cuatro to indicate the hour: Son las cuatro (It’s four o’clock). You can also use it in expressions like cuatro y cuarto (quarter past four) or cuatro y media (half past four).

Conclusion

Understanding how to say “four” in Spanish, along with its various forms and usages, is essential for effective communication. This article has provided a detailed guide to using cuatro, cuarto, and related expressions in various contexts. By mastering these concepts, you can confidently count, tell time, specify dates, and express quantities in Spanish.

Continue practicing with real-life examples and exercises to reinforce your knowledge. Pay attention to gender and number agreement, and don’t hesitate to immerse yourself in the language through reading, listening, and speaking. With dedication and practice, you’ll confidently use cuatro and its related forms in your Spanish conversations. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every step brings you closer to fluency!