quince
/KEEN-say/
fifteen
The word quince means fifteen, as in 'fifteen apples'.
📝 In Action
Mi hermana tiene quince años y va al instituto.
A1My sister is fifteen years old and goes to high school.
Solo quedan quince minutos para que empiece la película.
A1There are only fifteen minutes left until the movie starts.
Necesitamos quince copias de este documento.
A2We need fifteen copies of this document.
💡 Grammar Points
Always the Same
As a number, 'quince' is invariable. This means it never changes its ending, whether the thing you are counting is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural. It always stays 'quince'.
Pronouncing 'Z'
In most of Spain, the 'c' in 'quince' sounds like the 'th' in 'thing'. In Latin America and parts of Southern Spain, it sounds like an 's'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "Quincos libros."
Correction: Quince libros. 'Quince' does not change to match the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
⭐ Usage Tips
Telling Time
When telling time, 'quince' is used for 'quarter past' (e.g., 'Son las tres y quince').
Quince can also be used as a noun, referring to the numerical value fifteen.
quince(noun)
the number fifteen
?abstract value
the age of fifteen
?referring to the birthday
,quinceañera party
?informal short name for the celebration (often used in plural, 'los quince')
📝 In Action
El quince es un número especial para mí.
A2Fifteen is a special number for me.
Ella está planeando sus quince con mucho detalle.
B1She is planning her fifteenth birthday celebration (quince) in great detail.
Ganó la carrera el coche número quince.
A2Car number fifteen won the race.
💡 Grammar Points
The Big Birthday
In many Latin American countries, turning fifteen is a major milestone for girls, celebrated with a large party called a 'quinceañera'. Sometimes people shorten this celebration to just 'los quince'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Referring to the Number
When talking about the number 'fifteen' as an abstract idea (e.g., 'Fifteen is prime'), use the masculine article 'el' before 'quince' (El quince).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quince
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'quince' as the number 15?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'quince' change its form depending on whether I'm counting men or women?
No, 'quince' is one of the easiest numbers! Unlike 'uno' (which changes to 'una'), 'quince' is fixed. You use 'quince' whether you are counting masculine things (quince libros) or feminine things (quince sillas).
Is 'quince' related to 'quinto' (fifth)?
Yes, they share the same root, which is the Latin word for 'five' (*quinque*). 'Quince' literally means 'five and ten' combined.