Inklingo
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cero

/SEH-roh/

zero

An empty, clear glass jar sitting on a wooden table, symbolizing the quantity zero.

Cero as the number or digit 0, representing an absence of quantity.

cero(noun)

mA1

zero

?

The number or digit 0

Also:

naught

?

Formal or mathematical context

📝 In Action

El resultado de la resta es cero.

A1

The result of the subtraction is zero.

Hoy la temperatura bajó a cero grados.

A2

Today the temperature dropped to zero degrees.

Mi número de teléfono tiene dos ceros.

A1

My phone number has two zeros.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • infinito (infinity)

Common Collocations

  • bajo cero – below zero (sub-zero)
  • a cero – to zero (score)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Plural

Like most numbers, 'cero' is a masculine noun ('el cero'). When you talk about multiple zeros (the digits), you add an 's': 'dos ceros'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Zero' in Scores

Mistake: "El equipo ganó cero a dos."

Correction: El equipo perdió cero a dos. (Or: El equipo perdió por cero a dos.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Reading Decimals

When reading numbers like 0.5, you usually say 'cero coma cinco' (Spain) or 'cero punto cinco' (Latin America).

A perfectly clean, white dinner plate resting alone on a brightly colored tablecloth, indicating nothing is present.

Cero used as an adjective to describe zero quantity or quality.

cero(adjective)

m/fB1

zero

?

In terms of quantity or quality

Also:

no

?

When emphasizing total absence

📝 In Action

Tenemos cero tolerancia al fraude.

B1

We have zero tolerance for fraud.

El proyecto tiene un riesgo cero.

B2

The project has zero risk.

Necesitas tener cero miedo para hacer esto.

B1

You need to have zero fear to do this.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • nivel cero – level zero (ground floor/starting point)
  • emisión cero – zero emission

💡 Grammar Points

Always Singular

When 'cero' describes a noun (like 'tolerancia' or 'riesgo'), it always stays singular and doesn't change gender, acting like an invariable adjective.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ningún'

Mistake: "Tenemos ningún riesgo."

Correction: Tenemos cero riesgo.

⭐ Usage Tips

For Emphasis

Using 'cero' as an adjective is often stronger and more definite than using 'no hay' or 'ningún'.

A single pair of running shoes positioned right up against a brightly painted white starting line on an athletic track.

Cero meaning 'scratch' or the starting point for an activity.

cero(noun)

mA2

scratch

?

Starting point (idiomatic)

Also:

nil

?

A score of nothing or failing grade

📝 In Action

Empezamos de cero después de la crisis.

A2

We started from scratch after the crisis.

¿Cuánto sacaste en el examen? Un cero.

B1

What did you get on the exam? A zero (a failing grade).

El marcador está tres a cero.

A1

The score is three to zero.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • cien (one hundred (perfect score))

Common Collocations

  • de cero – from scratch
  • poner a cero – to reset (to zero)

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser un cero a la izquierda – To be useless or insignificant (literally, to be a zero on the left, which doesn't affect the value)

💡 Grammar Points

Scores and Grades

In many Spanish-speaking countries, getting 'un cero' on a test means you failed completely.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Literal Translation of Idioms

Mistake: "Él es un cero."

Correction: Él es un cero a la izquierda.

⭐ Usage Tips

Starting Over

The phrase 'empezar de cero' (to start from scratch) is extremely common when talking about restarting a project, business, or life.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cero

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'cero' to mean 'starting over'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cero absoluto(absolute zero) - noun
cero grados(zero degrees) - noun
cero emisiones(zero emissions) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cero' masculine or feminine?

'Cero' is always masculine ('el cero') when used as a noun (the number or the digit). When used as an adjective (meaning 'none'), it is invariable and doesn't change gender.

How do Spanish speakers usually read the number 0 in a phone number?

It depends on the region. They might say 'cero,' but sometimes they might simply say the letter 'o' (like in English) for brevity, or just rely on context.