quinto
/KEEN-toh/
fifth
When used as an adjective, "quinto" means "fifth," indicating the position in a sequence.
📝 In Action
Mi cumpleaños es el quinto día del mes.
A1My birthday is the fifth day of the month.
Ella vive en el quinto piso, justo arriba del nuestro.
A2She lives on the fifth floor, right above ours.
¿Quién es el quinto jugador de tu equipo?
A1Who is the fifth player on your team?
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'quinto' must match the gender and number of the person or thing it describes: 'la quinta persona' (the fifth person, feminine) vs. 'el quinto coche' (the fifth car, masculine).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not shortening 'quinto'
Mistake: "Using 'primer' or 'tercer' as a pattern and trying to shorten 'quinto' to 'quin'."
Correction: 'Quinto' never shortens. Only 'primero' (to 'primer') and 'tercero' (to 'tercer') change form before a singular masculine noun. Always say 'el quinto día'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'quinto' as a Noun
You can use 'quinto' on its own when the thing being counted is clear from context: 'Él fue el quinto' (He was the fifth [person]).
"Quinto" can be used as a noun meaning "a fifth," representing the fraction 1/5.
📝 In Action
Solo me diste un quinto del pastel, ¡yo quería más!
B1You only gave me a fifth of the cake, I wanted more!
Un quinto de la población habla ese idioma.
B2One fifth of the population speaks that language.
💡 Grammar Points
Fractions as Nouns
When 'quinto' refers to the fraction (1/5), it is used as a masculine noun, often preceded by 'un' or 'el'.
Historically in Spain, "quinto" referred to a military recruit or drafted soldier.
quinto(Noun)
recruit
?drafted soldier (Spain, historical)
small beer bottle
?200ml bottle of beer (Spain, informal)
📝 In Action
En España, le llamaban 'quinto' a los jóvenes que iban al servicio militar.
B2In Spain, they called 'quinto' the young men who went to military service.
Hace mucho calor. ¿Nos traes un par de quintos, por favor?
B1It's very hot. Could you bring us a couple of small beers, please?
💡 Grammar Points
Regional Beer Size
In Spain, a 'quinto' is a standard term for a 200 ml beer bottle, named because it is one-fifth of a liter. This term is essential for ordering drinks socially.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you are in a bar in Spain, 'un quinto' means a small beer. If you are discussing history or math, it means 'fifth' or '1/5'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quinto
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'quinto' as an ordinal adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'quinto' ever shorten its form, like 'primer' or 'tercer'?
No, 'quinto' always keeps its full form, even before a singular masculine noun. You must say 'el quinto día', not 'el quin día'.
What is the difference between 'quinto' and 'quinta'?
'Quinto' is the masculine form ('el quinto libro'). 'Quinta' is the feminine form ('la quinta vez'). However, 'una quinta' can also be a noun meaning a country house or estate in some regions.