The Ultimate 5-Minute Guide: Mastering Los Números En Inglés Del 1 Al 100 With Zero Mistakes
Learning the numbers in English from 1 to 100 (los números en inglés del 1 al 100) is the foundational step for fluency, yet it is often where students encounter the most frustrating errors. As of this complete guide updated in December 2025, we will break down the simple, logical patterns that govern the entire system, allowing you to count, spell, and pronounce every number with absolute confidence.
The biggest challenge for Spanish speakers is often the subtle difference between the "teens" (13-19) and the "tens" (30, 40, 50, etc.), which can lead to major misunderstandings. By focusing on three critical rules—spelling, pronunciation stress, and the difference between Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers—you will master the English number system today, turning a confusing list into a clear, predictable linguistic tool.
The Essential English Numbers 1-100 Chart: Patterns & Spelling Breakdown
The English counting system is not a random list of words; it is built on simple, repeating patterns. Mastering the first 20 numbers is the key, as they form the base for everything that follows up to 100.
Section 1: The Foundation (1–12)
These numbers are unique and must be memorized. They are the core entities of the English counting system.
- 1: One
- 2: Two
- 3: Three
- 4: Four
- 5: Five
- 6: Six
- 7: Seven
- 8: Eight
- 9: Nine
- 10: Ten
- 11: Eleven
- 12: Twelve
Section 2: The "Teens" Pattern (13–19)
After twelve, the pattern begins. Every number from 13 to 19 ends in -teen. This suffix is derived from an old form of the word "ten" and signifies that you have the base number plus ten.
- 13: Thirteen
- 14: Fourteen
- 15: Fifteen (Note the spelling change from 'five')
- 16: Sixteen
- 17: Seventeen
- 18: Eighteen (Note: only one 't')
- 19: Nineteen
Section 3: The "Tens" Pattern (20, 30, 40... 100)
The multiples of ten (the Tens) all end in -ty. This is the second crucial pattern. Note the spelling of forty (no 'u') and fifty (uses 'fift-').
- 20: Twenty
- 30: Thirty
- 40: Forty (Common mistake: not *fourty*)
- 50: Fifty
- 60: Sixty
- 70: Seventy
- 80: Eighty
- 90: Ninety
- 100: One Hundred (or just A Hundred)
Section 4: The Compound Numbers (21–99) – The Hyphen Rule
This is the simplest rule, yet it is often forgotten. For all Compound Numbers between 21 and 99, you must use a hyphen (-) between the ten's place and the unit's place.
- 21: Twenty-one
- 35: Thirty-five
- 48: Forty-eight
- 72: Seventy-two
- 99: Ninety-nine
This hyphenation rule is mandatory in formal English writing and is a key sign of a fluent speaker. Numbers like *twenty one* or *forty eight* without the hyphen are considered incorrect spelling.
The 3 Golden Rules for Mastering English Number Pronunciation and Spelling
To achieve true topical authority in English numbers, you must go beyond simple memorization and understand the rules governing pronunciation and usage. These three rules will eliminate the most common errors made by Spanish-speaking learners.
1. Pronunciation Stress: The Critical Difference Between -TEEN and -TY
The difference between numbers like 14 (*fourteen*) and 40 (*forty*) is a major point of confusion, especially in phone conversations or when dealing with money. The key lies in pronunciation stress.
- The -TEEN Numbers (13-19): The stress is on the second syllable, the -teen. This makes the number sound longer.
- Example: *four-TEEN*, *seven-TEEN*, *nine-TEEN*.
- The -TY Numbers (20, 30, 40...): The stress is on the first syllable. This makes the number sound shorter and sharper.
- Example: *FOR-ty*, *SIX-ty*, *NINE-ty*.
Practicing this stress pattern is vital. If you say "fifty" with the stress on the second syllable, a native speaker will hear "fifteen." Always remember: TEEN gets the stress, TY is stressed on the first syllable.
2. Cardinal vs. Ordinal Numbers: Knowing When to Use Which
The numbers 1-100 that we have been discussing are Cardinal Numbers. They tell you "how many" of something there are; they express quantity.
- Cardinal Examples: I have *two* cats. She bought *fifty* apples.
However, English also uses Ordinal Numbers, which tell you the order or position of something in a sequence.
Ordinal Numbers (1st to 100th)
The rule for forming ordinal numbers is simple: add -th to the cardinal number, with a few exceptions.
- 1: One -> 1st (First)
- 2: Two -> 2nd (Second)
- 3: Three -> 3rd (Third)
- 4: Four -> 4th (Fourth)
- 5: Five -> 5th (Fifth)
- 20: Twenty -> 20th (Twentieth)
- 21: Twenty-one -> 21st (Twenty-first)
- 100: One Hundred -> 100th (One Hundredth)
Use ordinal numbers when talking about dates (the *first* of January), competition results (she was *second*), or floors in a building (the *third* floor).
3. The Key Spelling Entities to Watch Out For
Even with the rules, a few numbers are considered spelling traps for non-native speakers. Memorizing these five entities will save you from common errors:
- 4 vs. 40: The number four is 'four', but forty is 'forty' (the 'u' is dropped).
- 5 vs. 50/15: The number five is 'five', but the base changes to 'fif-' in fifteen and fifty.
- 8 vs. 18/80: The number eight is 'eight', but you only use one 't' in eighteen and eighty.
- 9 vs. 90/19: The number nine is 'nine', but you drop the 'e' in ninety (though it is kept in nineteen).
- 100: Always write 'one hundred' or 'a hundred'. Do not use a hyphen (e.g., *one-hundred* is incorrect).
Advanced Usage: Using Numbers for Dates, Money, and Phone Numbers
Mastering the spelling and pronunciation is only half the battle. To use your new number knowledge in real-world situations, you must understand the proper usage context for different scenarios.
Reading Years (Dates)
Years are typically read as two separate compound numbers.
- 1984: Nineteen eighty-four
- 2000: Two thousand
- 2025: Two thousand twenty-five (or twenty twenty-five)
Reading Money (Currency)
When reading prices, use the word "and" to separate the whole number from the cents (or pence/centavos).
- $45.75: Forty-five dollars and seventy-five cents.
- £12.05: Twelve pounds and five pence.
Reading Phone Numbers
Phone numbers are almost always read one digit at a time. The number zero (0) is often pronounced as "oh" (*/oʊ/*).
- 555-1234: Five five five, one two three four.
- 0800: Oh eight hundred (or zero eight zero zero).
By internalizing the patterns of the teens and tens, practicing the pronunciation stress, and applying the hyphenation rule for compound numbers, you have successfully moved from a beginner to an advanced user of English numbers 1-100. This topical authority will be immediately noticeable in your conversations and writing.
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