Inklingo

sexto

/SEKS-toh/

sixth

A row of six identical red apples. The sixth apple in the sequence has a small, bright yellow bow tied around its stem, marking its position.

As an adjective, sexto means 'sixth,' indicating the position in a sequence.

sexto(adjective)

mA1

sixth

?

ordinal number

Also:

6th

?

abbreviation

📝 In Action

Esta es la sexta vez que visitamos este museo.

A1

This is the sixth time we have visited this museum.

El sexto capítulo del libro es el más emocionante.

A2

The sixth chapter of the book is the most exciting.

Ella llegó en sexto lugar en la carrera.

A1

She arrived in sixth place in the race.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ordinal (ordinal (number))

Common Collocations

  • sexto sentidosixth sense
  • sexta marchasixth gear (in a car)

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'sexto' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'sexto' for masculine things (el libro) and 'sexta' for feminine things (la clase).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Cardinal Number

Mistake: "El seis libro"

Correction: El sexto libro. Remember that 'seis' means the quantity (six), while 'sexto' indicates the order (sixth).

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'Sixth Sense'

The phrase 'sexto sentido' (sixth sense) is extremely common and means having a strong intuition or premonition.

Six small, identical blue fish swimming in a single file line underwater. A simple, cartoon hand reaches down from above with a net and is gently scooping up the sixth fish in the line.

As a noun, sexto refers to 'the sixth one,' signifying a specific item selected from a sequence.

sexto(noun)

mB1

the sixth (one)

?

referring to a numbered item

Also:

sixth grade/year

?

school context

,

sixth floor

?

building context

📝 In Action

¿Vives en el quinto o en el sexto?

B1

Do you live on the fifth or the sixth (floor)?

Mi hijo está en sexto de primaria.

B1

My son is in the sixth grade of primary school.

Ya leí hasta el sexto de la serie de libros.

B2

I've already read up to the sixth one in the book series.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • la sexta parte (the sixth part)

💡 Grammar Points

Using it as a Noun

When 'sexto' stands alone, it usually needs a definite article (el/la) and refers to something previously mentioned or understood from the situation, like a floor, a chapter, or a grade level.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

If someone asks '¿Cuál es el sexto?' (Which is the sixth?), the meaning depends entirely on what they were just talking about—people, chapters, or floors.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: sexto

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'sexto' as an ordinal number?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

seis(six (cardinal number)) - noun/adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'sexto' and 'seis'?

'Seis' is the cardinal number (the quantity, like 6). 'Sexto' is the ordinal number (the position in a sequence, like 6th). Use 'sexto' to talk about order (the sixth day) and 'seis' to talk about count (six days).

Does 'sexto' ever shorten before a noun?

No, unlike 'primero' (which shortens to 'primer') or 'tercero' (which shortens to 'tercer'), 'sexto' always keeps its full form, even before a masculine singular noun (e.g., 'el sexto día').