catorce
/kah-TOR-seh/
fourteen
Fourteen apples illustrate the use of 'catorce' as an adjective to count objects.
📝 In Action
Hay catorce estudiantes en mi clase.
A1There are fourteen students in my class.
Compré catorce manzanas en el mercado.
A1I bought fourteen apples at the market.
💡 Grammar Points
One size fits all
Unlike some Spanish words, 'catorce' never changes its ending. It stays the same whether you are talking about boys, girls, or objects.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't pluralize numbers
Mistake: "catorces libros"
Correction: catorce libros (numbers don't take an 's' even if the thing you're counting is plural).
⭐ Usage Tips
Counting to fourteen
Notice the pattern in Spanish numbers: once you get past fifteen (quince), the words start to combine 'ten' and the number (dieciséis), but 'catorce' is a unique single word.
The number 'catorce' represented as a noun through a set of fourteen distinct marbles.
📝 In Action
Mi cumpleaños es el catorce de julio.
A1My birthday is the fourteenth of July.
El catorce es mi número de la suerte.
A2Fourteen is my lucky number.
💡 Grammar Points
Dates in Spanish
While English uses 'fourteenth' for dates, Spanish simply uses the number 'catorce'. Just put 'el' in front of it!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Avoid 'fourteenth' for dates
Mistake: "el catorceavo de mayo"
Correction: el catorce de mayo (always use the standard number for days of the month).
⭐ Usage Tips
The gender of numbers
When using 'catorce' as a noun (like a jersey number or a date), it is always masculine. You say 'el catorce'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: catorce
Question 1 of 1
How do you say 'The exam is on the 14th'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'catorce' change if I'm talking about girls (feminine nouns)?
No, 'catorce' is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. For example: 'catorce niños' and 'catorce niñas'.
How do I write 14 in a sentence?
You can write the digits '14' or the word 'catorce'. In formal writing, it is generally better to write the word out.