9 in Spanish = nueve

The number 9 in Spanish is pronounced "noo-EH-veh" (with stress on the middle syllable), written as "nueve", and spelled n-u-e-v-e.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Nueve has two syllables: nue-ve

Step by step:

1. "Nue" - Say "noo-EH" (the "ue" makes a diphthong)
2. Or think of it as "NWEH" where the "w" sound is subtle
3. "ve" - Say "veh" (like "vay" but with "eh")
4. Put stress on the middle part: nue-VE

Alternative way to think about it:

• Say "NWEH-veh" where stress falls on the first syllable but the "e" sound is strong

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing it like English "new-eve"—it should be "noo-EH-veh" as two syllables
• Stressing the first syllable too much—the stress is on "nue" but flows naturally
• Pronouncing the "v" like English "v"—in Spanish, "v" sounds more like a soft "b"
• Making the final "e" sound like English "ay"—it should be "eh"

Regional pronunciation differences:

• Most regions: noo-EH-veh
• Spain: The "v" might sound slightly more like English "v"
• Latin America: The "v" often sounds like a soft "b"
• Both are correct

The Word "Nueve"

Spelling: n-u-e-v-e

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

Origin: From Latin "novem" meaning "nine"

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

• Nueve libros (masculine)
• Nueve casas (feminine)
• Always "nueve"

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, cero...

Phone numbers: Each digit is pronounced separately:

• 9 = nueve
• Example: 919-9090 = nueve-uno-nueve, nueve-cero-nueve-cero

Prices:

• 9€ = nueve euros
• €9.50 = nueve euros cincuenta (céntimos)
• €29 = veintinueve euros

Times:

• 9:00 = las nueve (feminine plural)
• 9:15 = las nueve y cuarto
• 9:30 = las nueve y media
• 9:45 = las diez menos cuarto / las nueve y cuarenta y cinco

Dates:

• The 9th = el nueve
• September 9th = el nueve de septiembre
• Uses cardinal number "nueve," not ordinal "noveno"

Ages:

• 9 years old = nueve años

Addresses:

• Room 9 = habitación nueve
• Apartment 9 = apartamento nueve
• Floor 9 = piso nueve / noveno piso

Compound Numbers with 9

19-99:

• 19 = diecinueve (written as one word, no accent)
• 29 = veintinueve (written as one word, no accent)
• 90 = noventa
• 99 = noventa y nueve (written as three words)

Important:

• 19 is "diecinueve" (one word, no accent)
• 29 is "veintinueve" (one word, no accent)
• 99 is "noventa y nueve" (three words)

Regional Variations

Spain: noo-EH-veh (with "v" sound) Mexico: noo-EH-beh (with soft "b" sound) Argentina: noo-EH-beh (with soft "b" sound) Colombia: noo-EH-veh/beh Most Latin America: noo-EH-beh (with soft "b" sound)

In most of Latin America, the "v" in Spanish is pronounced like a soft "b." In Spain, it's often closer to an English "v."

Common Phrases with 9

los nueve / las nueve: All nine (of them)

• "Los nueve meses de embarazo" = The nine months of pregnancy

nueve veces: Nine times

a las nueve: At nine o'clock

de nueve en nueve: Nine by nine, in groups of nine

cada nueve: Every nine

• "Cada nueve días" = Every nine days

las nueve de la noche: 9 PM

las nueve de la mañana: 9 AM

estar en las nubes: To have one's head in the clouds (doesn't use "nueve" but sounds similar)

noveno: Related ordinal form meaning "ninth"

Grammar Notes

Invariable: Nueve NEVER changes for gender:

• Nueve niños (nine boys) - masculine
• Nueve niñas (nine girls) - feminine
• Always "nueve"

With articles:

• Los nueve = all nine (masculine)
• Las nueve = all nine (feminine)
• El nueve = the number nine

Ordinal:

• "Ninth" = noveno/a (not nueve)
• El noveno día = the ninth day
• La novena vez = the ninth time
• BUT for dates: "el nueve de septiembre" (cardinal, not "el noveno")

"Noveno" vs "Nueve"

Don't confuse nueve (cardinal number 9) with noveno (ordinal "ninth"):

• Nueve: counting number (9)
• Noveno: position (9th in a sequence)

Examples:

• "Tengo nueve libros" = I have nine books (quantity)
• "Es el noveno libro" = It's the ninth book (position)
• "El nueve de mayo" = May 9th (date - uses cardinal)
• "El noveno piso" = The ninth floor (position - uses ordinal)

Writing Numbers

19:

• Written as one word: diecinueve
• NO accent
• NOT "diez y nueve"

29:

• Written as one word: veintinueve
• NO accent
• NOT "veinte y nueve"

99:

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

90:

• Written as one word: noventa
• No accent

Quick Takeaways

• 9 in Spanish is nueve, pronounced "noo-EH-veh" with stress on the middle syllable
• The "ue" creates a diphthong sound
• The "v" sounds like a soft "b" in most of Latin America, closer to "v" in Spain
• Like other numbers, nueve does NOT change for gender—always "nueve"
• For times, use "las nueve" (plural feminine)
• 19 is "diecinueve" (one word, no accent)
• 29 is "veintinueve" (one word, no accent)
• 99 is "noventa y nueve" (three words)
• Comes from Latin "novem"
• Don't confuse nueve (9) with noveno (ninth)

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