4 in Spanish = cuatro

The number 4 in Spanish is pronounced "KWAH-troh" (with stress on the first syllable), written as "cuatro", and spelled c-u-a-t-r-o.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Cuatro has two syllables: cua-tro

Step by step:

1. "Cua" - Say "KWAH" (like "qua" in "quality")
2. The "c" and "u" blend together to make a "kw" sound
3. "tro" - Say "troh" with a quick tap "r"
4. Put stress on the first syllable: KWAH-troh

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing it like "KOO-ah-troh" (three syllables)—it should be two syllables: "KWAH-troh"
• Using an English "r"—use a single tap with your tongue
• Stressing the second syllable—it should be CUA-tro, not cua-TRO
• Saying "KWA-ter-oh"—there's no "er" sound

Regional pronunciation: The pronunciation of cuatro is relatively consistent across Spanish-speaking regions, with minor variations in the "r" sound.

The Word "Cuatro"

Spelling: c-u-a-t-r-o

• Invariable (doesn't change for gender)
• Masculine noun: el cuatro
• No accent marks

Origin: From Latin "quattuor" meaning "four"

Gender: Like "dos" and "tres," cuatro does NOT change based on gender:

• Cuatro libros (masculine)
• Cuatro casas (feminine)
• Always "cuatro"

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco...

Phone numbers: Each digit is pronounced separately:

• 4 = cuatro
• Example: 415-4444 = cuatro-uno-cinco, cuatro-cuatro-cuatro-cuatro

Prices:

• 4€ = cuatro euros
• €4.50 = cuatro euros cincuenta (céntimos)
• €24 = veinticuatro euros

Times:

• 4:00 = las cuatro (feminine plural)
• 4:15 = las cuatro y cuarto
• 4:30 = las cuatro y media
• 4:45 = las cinco menos cuarto / las cuatro y cuarenta y cinco

Dates:

• The 4th = el cuatro
• April 4th = el cuatro de abril
• Uses cardinal number "cuatro," not ordinal "cuarto"

Ages:

• 4 years old = cuatro años

Addresses:

• Room 4 = habitación cuatro
• Apartment 4 = apartamento cuatro
• Floor 4 = piso cuatro / cuarto piso

Compound Numbers with 4

14-49:

• 14 = catorce
• 24 = veinticuatro (written as one word, no accent)
• 40 = cuarenta
• 44 = cuarenta y cuatro (written as three words)
• 54 = cincuenta y cuatro
• 64 = sesenta y cuatro

Important:

• 24 is "veinticuatro" (one word, no accent on this one)
• 44+ are "cuarenta y cuatro," "cincuenta y cuatro," etc. (three words)

Regional Variations

Spain: KWAH-troh Mexico: KWAH-troh Argentina: KWAH-troh Colombia: KWAH-troh All regions: KWAH-troh

The word and pronunciation are essentially universal, with only minor differences in the "r" sound (single tap vs. slightly trilled).

Common Phrases with 4

los cuatro / las cuatro: All four (of them)

• "Los cuatro hermanos" = All four brothers

cuatro veces: Four times

• "Cuatro veces al día" = Four times a day

a las cuatro: At four o'clock

de cuatro en cuatro: Four by four, in groups of four

las cuatro esquinas: The four corners

cuatro gatos: Very few people (literally "four cats")

• "Había cuatro gatos en la fiesta" = There were very few people at the party

a cuatro patas: On all fours

• "El bebé gatea a cuatro patas" = The baby crawls on all fours

decir cuatro verdades: To tell someone off (literally "to say four truths")

• "Le dije cuatro verdades" = I told him off

entre cuatro paredes: Within four walls, indoors

Grammar Notes

Invariable: Cuatro NEVER changes for gender:

• Cuatro niños (four boys) - masculine
• Cuatro niñas (four girls) - feminine
• Always "cuatro"

With articles:

• Los cuatro = all four (masculine)
• Las cuatro = all four (feminine)
• El cuatro = the number four

Ordinal vs Cardinal:

• "Fourth" = cuarto/a (ordinal)
• El cuarto día = the fourth day
• BUT for dates: "el cuatro de mayo" (cardinal, not "el cuarto")
• For times: "las cuatro" (cardinal) means 4 o'clock
• "Un cuarto" also means "a quarter" → "las tres y cuarto" = 3:15

Writing Numbers

24:

• Written as one word: veinticuatro
• NO accent mark
• NOT "veinte y cuatro"

44, 54, 64, etc.:

• Written as three words: cuarenta y cuatro
• No accent needed
• The "y" (and) connects them

40:

• Written as one word: cuarenta
• No accent

Note: "Cuatro" in "veinticuatro" loses its stress, so no accent is needed.

Quick Takeaways

• 4 in Spanish is cuatro, pronounced "KWAH-troh" with stress on the first syllable
• The "cua" is pronounced as one syllable ("kwah"), not two
• Like other numbers, cuatro does NOT change for gender—always "cuatro"
• For times, use "las cuatro" (plural feminine)
• "Y cuarto" means "quarter past" in telling time
• 24 is "veinticuatro" (one word, no accent)
• 44+ is "cuarenta y cuatro," etc. (three words)
• Comes from Latin "quattuor"
• "Cuatro gatos" means "very few people"

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