ochenta
/o-CHEN-tah/
eighty
A large collection of apples representing the number eighty.
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo tiene ochenta años.
A1My grandfather is eighty years old.
El libro tiene ochenta páginas.
A1The book has eighty pages.
Cuesta ochenta pesos.
A1It costs eighty pesos.
💡 Grammar Points
One Form for All
The word 'ochenta' never changes. Whether you are talking about eighty boys (niños) or eighty girls (niñas), the word stays exactly the same.
Adding Numbers
To say numbers like 81 or 85, you just add 'y' (and) and the single digit: 'ochenta y uno', 'ochenta y cinco'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The 'Y' Rule
Mistake: "Writing 'ochentayuno' as one word."
Correction: Always write it as three separate words: 'ochenta y uno'. Only numbers 16-29 are usually combined into one word.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About Age
Remember that in Spanish, you 'have' years. Instead of saying 'I am eighty,' you say 'Tengo ochenta años'.
Iconic fashion and items that represent the style of the eighties.
📝 In Action
Me encanta la música de los ochenta.
A2I love eighties music.
Ella nació a principios de los ochenta.
B1She was born in the early eighties.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Article
When talking about the decade, always use the masculine plural 'los': 'los ochenta'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Plurality
Even though you are talking about many years, the word 'ochenta' itself doesn't add an 's'. It is 'los ochenta', not 'los ochentas'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ochenta
Question 1 of 2
How do you say 'eighty-four' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'ochenta' change to 'ochentas' when referring to plural things?
No. Cardinal numbers in Spanish like 'ochenta' do not change for plural or gender. You say 'ochenta libros' and 'ochenta mesas'.
Can I write 'ochenta y uno' as 'ochentayuno'?
While you might see it in informal writing, the standard rule is to write it as three separate words for any number above 30.