5 in Spanish = cinco

The number 5 in Spanish is pronounced "SEEN-koh" (with stress on the first syllable), written as "cinco", and spelled c-i-n-c-o.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Cinco has two syllables: cin-co

Step by step:

1. "Cin" - Say "SEEN" (like "seen" in English, but shorter)
2. In most of Latin America, "c" before "i" sounds like "s"
3. In Spain, "c" before "i" sounds like "th" (as in "think")
4. "co" - Say "koh"
5. Put stress on the first syllable: SEEN-koh (or THEEN-koh in Spain)

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing it like English "sink-oh"—the first syllable should be "SEEN" or "THEEN"
• Stressing the second syllable—it should be CIN-co, not cin-CO
• Using a hard "c" sound for both c's—the first "c" is soft (s/th), the second is hard (k)

Regional pronunciation differences:

• Latin America: SEEN-koh (soft "s" sound)
• Spain (Castilian): THEEN-koh (like "th" in "think")
• Both are correct for their respective regions

The Word "Cinco"

Spelling: c-i-n-c-o

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

Origin: From Latin "quinque" meaning "five"

Gender: Like other numbers, cinco does NOT change based on gender:

• Cinco libros (masculine)
• Cinco casas (feminine)
• Always "cinco"

Practical Usage

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

Phone numbers: Each digit is pronounced separately:

• 5 = cinco
• Example: 555-5050 = cinco-cinco-cinco, cinco-cero-cinco-cero

Prices:

• 5€ = cinco euros
• €5.50 = cinco euros cincuenta (céntimos)
• €25 = veinticinco euros

Times:

• 5:00 = las cinco (feminine plural)
• 5:15 = las cinco y cuarto
• 5:30 = las cinco y media
• 5:45 = las seis menos cuarto / las cinco y cuarenta y cinco

Dates:

• The 5th = el cinco
• May 5th = el cinco de mayo (famous date in Mexican-American culture)
• Uses cardinal number "cinco," not ordinal "quinto"

Ages:

• 5 years old = cinco años

Addresses:

• Room 5 = habitación cinco
• Apartment 5 = apartamento cinco
• Floor 5 = piso cinco / quinto piso

Compound Numbers with 5

15-59:

• 15 = quince
• 25 = veinticinco (written as one word, no accent)
• 50 = cincuenta
• 55 = cincuenta y cinco (written as three words)
• 65 = sesenta y cinco
• 75 = setenta y cinco

Important:

• 25 is "veinticinco" (one word, no accent)
• 55+ are "cincuenta y cinco," "sesenta y cinco," etc. (three words)

Regional Variations

Spain: THEEN-koh (with "th" sound for first "c") Mexico: SEEN-koh (with "s" sound) Argentina: SEEN-koh (with "s" sound) Colombia: SEEN-koh (with "s" sound) Most Latin America: SEEN-koh

The difference is only in the first "c" sound—"th" in Spain, "s" in Latin America. The second "c" is always a hard "k" sound.

Common Phrases with 5

los cinco / las cinco: All five (of them)

• "Los cinco dedos" = All five fingers

cinco veces: Five times

a las cinco: At five o'clock

de cinco en cinco: Five by five, in groups of five

Cinco de Mayo: May 5th (Mexican-American celebration commemorating the Battle of Puebla)

choca esos cinco: High five! (literally "hit those five")

• Colloquial expression for giving a high five

dar los cinco: To give a high five

estar sin cinco: To be broke, penniless (informal)

• "Estoy sin cinco" = I'm broke

cada cinco: Every five

• "Cada cinco minutos" = Every five minutes

Grammar Notes

Invariable: Cinco NEVER changes for gender:

• Cinco niños (five boys) - masculine
• Cinco niñas (five girls) - feminine
• Always "cinco"

With articles:

• Los cinco = all five (masculine)
• Las cinco = all five (feminine)
• El cinco = the number five

Ordinal:

• "Fifth" = quinto/a (not cinco)
• El quinto día = the fifth day
• La quinta vez = the fifth time
• BUT for dates: "el cinco de mayo" (cardinal, not "el quinto")

Writing Numbers

25:

• Written as one word: veinticinco
• NO accent mark
• NOT "veinte y cinco"

55, 65, 75, etc.:

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

50:

• Written as one word: cincuenta
• No accent

15:

• Written as one word: quince
• Completely different from "diez y cinco"

Special Cultural Note: Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is an important date, especially in Mexican-American culture. It commemorates the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While it's a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, it has become a major celebration of Mexican culture in the United States.

Quick Takeaways

• 5 in Spanish is cinco, pronounced "SEEN-koh" (Latin America) or "THEEN-koh" (Spain)
• Stress is on the first syllable
• The first "c" is soft (s/th), the second "c" is hard (k)
• Like other numbers, cinco does NOT change for gender—always "cinco"
• For times, use "las cinco" (plural feminine)
• 25 is "veinticinco" (one word, no accent)
• 55+ is "cincuenta y cinco," etc. (three words)
• Comes from Latin "quinque"
• "Choca esos cinco" means "high five!"
• Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is an important cultural celebration

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