noventa
noventa in 30 Sekunden
- Noventa is the Spanish word for the number 90, acting as a cardinal number and determiner that remains invariable in gender and number.
- It is commonly used for age, prices, percentages (90%), and geometry (90-degree angles), following the pattern of other tens like ochenta.
- When combined with units, it forms 'noventa y...' (e.g., noventa y cinco), and 'uno' changes to 'un' or 'una' depending on the noun.
- Key cultural references include 'los años noventa' (the 1990s) and the 'minuto noventa' in soccer, marking the end of a match.
The Spanish word noventa is a cardinal number representing the quantity of ninety (90). In the decimal system, it follows eighty-nine (ochenta y nueve) and precedes ninety-one (noventa y uno). As a determiner, it is used to quantify nouns, indicating that there are exactly ninety units of a particular item. Unlike some other numbers in Spanish, such as uno (which changes to un or una) or the hundreds (doscientos/as), noventa is invariable; it does not change based on the gender of the noun it modifies.
- Grammatical Category
- Cardinal Number / Determiner
- Numerical Value
- 90 (Decena)
- Morphology
- Invariable (Gender-neutral)
Historically, the word derives from the Latin nonaginta. In modern Spanish, it serves as the base for the tenth decade of a century or a person's life. When we talk about the 1990s, we refer to them as los años noventa or simply los noventa. It is a crucial number for daily transactions, age descriptions, and mathematical measurements, such as the degrees in a right angle (un ángulo de noventa grados).
Mi abuela cumplió noventa años ayer y todavía camina todos los días.
In geometry, the number ninety is foundational. A right angle is exactly noventa grados. This concept is used in architecture, design, and navigation. Furthermore, in the context of time, ninety minutes constitutes a full standard football (soccer) match, making the number culturally significant in Spanish-speaking countries where the sport is a national passion. You will often hear commentators talk about the 'minuto noventa' as the climax of the game.
El carpintero cortó la madera en un ángulo de noventa grados exactos.
- Etymology
- From Latin nonaginta, composed of nona (nine) and the suffix -ginta (tens).
- Ordinal Form
- Nonagésimo (90th)
From a statistical perspective, ninety percent (noventa por ciento) represents a vast majority, often used in news reports and academic papers to indicate near-certainty or overwhelming prevalence. In the business world, a 'noventa días' (ninety days) period is a standard fiscal quarter or a common payment term for invoices. Understanding this number is essential for anyone reaching an intermediate level of Spanish fluency, as it appears frequently in both formal and informal registers.
El noventa por ciento de los estudiantes aprobó el examen final.
Using noventa correctly involves understanding its role as a cardinal number that functions primarily as a determiner. It precedes the noun it qualifies. For example, 'noventa libros' (ninety books) or 'noventa sillas' (ninety chairs). Notice that noventa remains unchanged regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine. This makes it easier to use than the number one (uno/una) or the hundreds (doscientos/doscientas).
When forming numbers between 91 and 99, the structure is always noventa + y + [digit]. For example:
- 91: Noventa y uno
- 95: Noventa y cinco
- 99: Noventa y nueve
In financial contexts, particularly when writing checks or legal documents, it is vital to spell out the number to avoid ambiguity. You might see 'La cantidad de noventa euros' written out. In mathematical operations, it is treated as a noun: 'Noventa es el doble de cuarenta y cinco'.
Compré noventa metros de cable para la instalación eléctrica.
Another common usage is in the expression of time and age. While we don't usually say 'it is ninety minutes past the hour' (we use 'una hora y media'), we do use it to describe the duration of events. In terms of age, 'tener noventa años' is the standard way to express being ninety years old. Note the use of the verb tener (to have) rather than ser (to be).
In the context of decades, we use the definite article: 'En los años noventa' or 'En los noventa'. This refers to the period between 1990 and 1999. It is also used in addresses, phone numbers, and identifying codes. When reciting a phone number, speakers might group digits, saying 'noventa' for the pair 9-0.
You will encounter noventa in a variety of everyday situations across the Spanish-speaking world. One of the most common places is in the market or retail stores. Prices often end in '.90' to appear cheaper (e.g., 'diecinueve con noventa'), and you will hear cashiers announce these totals. In the news, economic reports frequently cite percentages, such as 'el noventa por ciento de la población'.
On the road, noventa is a standard speed limit (90 km/h) on many secondary highways in Spain and Latin America. You will see signs with the number 90 circled in red. Traffic reports might mention delays at 'kilómetro noventa'.
La velocidad máxima en esta carretera es de noventa kilómetros por hora.
In sports broadcasting, specifically football, the 'minuto noventa' is iconic. It represents the end of regular time. Commentators often shout with excitement as the clock hits ninety, especially if a goal is scored in 'el descuento' (stoppage time) just after the 90th minute. This has led to the phrase 'hasta el rabo, todo es toro', but in a modern sense, 'hasta el minuto noventa, nada está decidido'.
In social gatherings, you might hear it when discussing family history or health. 'Mi bisabuelo vivió hasta los noventa y cinco años' is a sentence that conveys a sense of pride in longevity. In pop culture, 'música de los noventa' is a popular genre for themed parties and radio stations, referring to the hits of the 1990s.
One of the most frequent errors for beginners is confusing noventa (90) with novecientos (900). While they share the same root, the suffix is entirely different. Another common confusion is with diecinueve (19). English speakers sometimes mix up 'ninety' and 'nineteen', and the same happens in Spanish with 'noventa' and 'diecinueve', though the sounds are quite distinct.
Spelling mistakes are also common. Students sometimes write 'nobenta' with a 'b' instead of a 'v'. Remember that it comes from 'nueve' (nine), which also uses a 'v'. However, be careful: 'novecientos' (900) uses 'v', but 'nueve' changes its vowel structure.
Incorrect: Tengo nobenta pesos.
Correct: Tengo noventa pesos.
Another mistake involves the 'y' (and) conjunction. In Spanish, we only use 'y' between the tens and the units (e.g., 91 = noventa y uno). We do not use it between hundreds and tens. For example, 190 is 'ciento noventa', NOT 'ciento y noventa'. This is a very common error for English speakers who are used to saying 'one hundred and ninety'.
Lastly, remember the apocopation rule for 'uno'. While 'noventa' doesn't change, 'noventa y uno' becomes 'noventa y un' before a masculine noun. Saying 'noventa y uno hombres' is incorrect; it must be 'noventa y un hombres'.
To fully master noventa, it is helpful to understand its linguistic family and similar-sounding words. The most obvious relative is nueve (9), the base digit. From there, we have novecientos (900), which multiplies the value by ten. Note the preservation of the 'v' throughout these forms.
- Noveno / Novena
- The ordinal number for 'ninth'. Used for floors in a building, positions in a race, or anniversaries.
- Noventón / Noventona
- A colloquial and sometimes slightly pejorative (though often affectionate) term for a person in their nineties.
- Nonagésimo
- The formal ordinal number for 'ninetieth'. You will see this in very formal documents or high-level literature.
In terms of phonetics, noventa sounds somewhat similar to ochenta (80) and setenta (70) because they all share the '-enta' suffix indicating a multiple of ten. Distinguishing between 'setenta' and 'setenta' can be tricky for new listeners, but 'noventa' is usually clearer due to the 'n' sound at the start.
El edificio tiene noventa ventanas, pero yo vivo en el noveno piso.
There is also the word novedad (novelty/news), which shares the 'nov-' root (from Latin novus, meaning new). While 'noventa' comes from 'nine', the similarity in spelling can sometimes confuse learners. Always look at the context: if it involves counting, it's 90; if it involves something new, it's 'novedad'.
How Formal Is It?
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Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Beispiele nach Niveau
Tengo noventa cromos.
I have ninety trading cards.
Cardinal number used as a determiner.
El libro tiene noventa páginas.
The book has ninety pages.
Noventa modifies the feminine noun 'páginas' without changing form.
Son noventa euros, por favor.
That is ninety euros, please.
Used in a commercial transaction.
Mi número de casa es el noventa.
My house number is ninety.
Used as a proper noun/identifier.
Hay noventa sillas en el salón.
There are ninety chairs in the hall.
Quantifying a plural noun.
El autobús noventa llega pronto.
Bus ninety is arriving soon.
Used to identify a specific route.
Noventa más diez son cien.
Ninety plus ten is one hundred.
Basic arithmetic usage.
Ella tiene noventa años.
She is ninety years old.
Standard way to express age with 'tener'.
Nací en el año noventa.
I was born in the year ninety (1990).
Shortened form for 1990.
El hotel está a noventa kilómetros de aquí.
The hotel is ninety kilometers from here.
Measuring distance.
Compré noventa y un globos para la fiesta.
I bought ninety-one balloons for the party.
Note the apocopation of 'uno' to 'un' before a masculine noun.
Había noventa personas en la boda.
There were ninety people at the wedding.
Using 'había' for past existence.
La temperatura subió a noventa grados.
The temperature rose to ninety degrees.
Context of weather/Fahrenheit.
Pagué noventa pesos por el almuerzo.
I paid ninety pesos for lunch.
Currency quantification.
El examen dura noventa minutos.
The exam lasts ninety minutes.
Expressing duration.
Mi abuelo vive en el número noventa y nueve.
My grandfather lives at number ninety-nine.
Compound number 99.
El noventa por ciento de los votos ya fue escrutado.
Ninety percent of the votes have already been counted.
Statistical usage.
Necesitamos noventa minutos de silencio.
We need ninety minutes of silence.
Duration with a specific requirement.
La empresa tiene noventa empleados en esta sucursal.
The company has ninety employees in this branch.
Business context.
El ángulo recto mide noventa grados.
A right angle measures ninety degrees.
Technical/Mathematical definition.
Casi noventa mil personas asistieron al concierto.
Almost ninety thousand people attended the concert.
Used in a large number (90,000).
El descuento es de noventa euros si compras hoy.
The discount is ninety euros if you buy today.
Financial incentive.
Ella escribió noventa cartas durante el verano.
She wrote ninety letters during the summer.
Quantifying past actions.
El edificio tiene noventa metros de altura.
The building is ninety meters high.
Measuring height.
La inflación alcanzó el noventa por ciento anual.
Inflation reached ninety percent annually.
Economic terminology.
En los años noventa, la tecnología cambió radicalmente.
In the nineties, technology changed radically.
Referring to a decade.
El contrato estipula un plazo de noventa días para el pago.
The contract stipulates a ninety-day period for payment.
Legal/Contractual language.
Noventa de cada cien personas prefieren este producto.
Ninety out of every hundred people prefer this product.
Ratio expression.
El coche circulaba a noventa por una zona urbana.
The car was going ninety in an urban area.
Ellipsis (kilometers per hour is implied).
La obra se divide en noventa breves capítulos.
The work is divided into ninety short chapters.
Literary structure.
Gastó noventa mil dólares en la reforma de la casa.
He spent ninety thousand dollars on the house renovation.
Large financial amount.
El equipo marcó en el minuto noventa y ganó el partido.
The team scored in the ninetieth minute and won the match.
Sports context (cardinal used for time).
Su bisabuela es una vital noventona que aún viaja sola.
His great-grandmother is a vital ninety-year-old who still travels alone.
Use of the noun 'noventona'.
La resolución fue aprobada por noventa votos a favor.
The resolution was approved by ninety votes in favor.
Formal political context.
El manuscrito data de los años noventa del siglo pasado.
The manuscript dates from the nineties of the last century.
Precise historical dating.
La presión arterial sistólica era de noventa.
The systolic blood pressure was ninety.
Medical jargon.
El autor publicó noventa ensayos antes de su retiro.
The author published ninety essays before his retirement.
Quantifying intellectual output.
La mezcla debe calentarse a noventa grados centígrados.
The mixture must be heated to ninety degrees Celsius.
Scientific instruction.
Noventa leguas separaban a los dos ejércitos.
Ninety leagues separated the two armies.
Archaic/Literary unit of measurement.
El índice bursátil cayó noventa puntos en una mañana.
The stock index fell ninety points in one morning.
Stock market terminology.
La arquitectura del edificio juega con ángulos de noventa grados para crear sombras asimétricas.
The building's architecture plays with ninety-degree angles to create asymmetrical shadows.
Complex descriptive use.
A sus noventa años, su lucidez mental desafía las leyes de la biología.
At ninety years old, his mental lucidity defies the laws of biology.
Sophisticated character description.
La empresa dominó el mercado durante los noventa, pero no supo adaptarse al nuevo milenio.
The company dominated the market during the nineties but failed to adapt to the new millennium.
Historical/Economic analysis.
El poema consta de noventa versos alejandrinos de una métrica impecable.
The poem consists of ninety Alexandrine verses of impeccable meter.
Literary analysis.
Se estima que el noventa por ciento de la biodiversidad local está en peligro.
It is estimated that ninety percent of local biodiversity is in danger.
Scientific/Environmental reporting.
La deuda externa se redujo en noventa millones de dólares tras la renegociación.
The foreign debt was reduced by ninety million dollars after the renegotiation.
Macroeconomic context.
Noventa primaveras no han mermado su espíritu aventurero.
Ninety springs (years) have not diminished her adventurous spirit.
Poetic use of 'primaveras' for years.
El sensor detectó una anomalía a los noventa milisegundos del impacto.
The sensor detected an anomaly ninety milliseconds after the impact.
Technical/Physics context.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
En los noventa
Noventa y un
Noventa y una
Casi noventa
Más de noventa
Menos de noventa
Exactamente noventa
Noventa y pico
Los felices noventa
Noventa por ciento seguro
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
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Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
Wortfamilie
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Often used with 'cumplir' (to turn/reach).
Used as a constant in many formulas.
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Spelling error: always use 'v'.
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Grammar error: 'y' is only for tens and units.
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Apocopation error: 'uno' becomes 'un' before masculine nouns.
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Gender error: 'coches' is masculine, so use 'un'.
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Vocabulary error: 'novecientos' is 900, not 90.
Tipps
Clear Vowels
Make sure the 'o' and 'e' are short and crisp. Spanish vowels do not glide like English ones. Practice saying 'no-ven-ta' slowly.
The 'Y' Rule
Only use 'y' for numbers 31-99. For 90, it's just 'noventa'. For 91, it's 'noventa y uno'. Never use 'y' for 190.
Root Recognition
Recognize the 'nov-' root. It will help you understand related words like 'noveno' (9th) and 'novecientos' (900) much faster.
Distinguish from 80
In noisy environments, 'noventa' and 'ochenta' can sound similar. Focus on the first consonant: 'N' for 90, 'O' (vowel) for 80.
Check Spelling
Always double-check the 'v'. It's a common mistake even for native speakers in some regions to confuse 'b' and 'v' in writing.
Age Respect
When talking about someone who is 90, use a respectful tone. It is a venerable age in Hispanic cultures often associated with wisdom.
Mental Math
Practice adding 10 to 80 or subtracting 10 from 100 in Spanish to get comfortable with the word 'noventa' in a logical sequence.
Decades
Use 'los noventa' to talk about the 1990s. It's a very common way to discuss nostalgia, music, and past events.
Speed Limits
If you are driving in Spain, remember 'noventa' is a very common speed limit. Say it out loud when you see the signs to practice.
Visual Aid
Visualize a right angle (90 degrees) and say 'noventa grados'. This physical-visual connection helps lock the word in your memory.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
NO-VENTA: There is NO VENTA (sale) for 90 dollars.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Kultureller Kontext
The 90th minute is the end of regulation time.
The 1990s saw the end of several dictatorships in Latin America.
A 'novena' is 9 days, but 'noventa' is 90.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"¿Qué hacias tú en los años noventa?"
"¿Conoces a alguien que tenga noventa años?"
"¿Crees que el noventa por ciento de la gente es buena?"
"¿Qué coche puede ir a noventa kilómetros por hora?"
"¿Prefieres los ochenta o los noventa?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe cómo te imaginas tu vida a los noventa años.
Escribe sobre un evento histórico que ocurrió en los noventa.
Si tuvieras noventa euros ahora mismo, ¿en qué los gastarías?
¿Por qué crees que el noventa por ciento es un número tan común en las noticias?
Dibuja algo con ángulos de noventa grados y descríbelo.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenSe escribe 'noventa'. Es importante usar la letra 'v' y no la 'b'. Es una palabra de tres sílabas: no-ven-ta. Se usa en todo el mundo hispanohablante de la misma manera.
Como número cardinal, 'noventa' es invariable. No cambia su forma si el sustantivo es masculino o femenino. Por ejemplo, decimos 'noventa hombres' y 'noventa mujeres'. Sin embargo, si se usa como sustantivo (el número noventa), es masculino.
Se usa 'noventa y un' cuando el número 91 va inmediatamente antes de un sustantivo masculino. Por ejemplo: 'noventa y un días'. Si el sustantivo es femenino, se usa 'noventa y una': 'noventa y una páginas'.
Se dice 'ciento noventa'. No se debe poner la conjunción 'y' entre el cien y el noventa. La 'y' solo se usa entre las decenas y las unidades, como en 'noventa y cinco'.
Se refiere a la década de los años 1990. Es una forma abreviada de decir 'la década de los noventa'. Se usa mucho para hablar de música, moda o historia de esa época.
El ordinal es 'nonagésimo'. Se usa para indicar la posición noventa en una serie. Por ejemplo: 'Estamos celebrando el nonagésimo aniversario de la empresa'. Es una palabra bastante formal.
Se dice 'noventa por ciento'. Es una expresión muy común en estadísticas y noticias. En lenguaje escrito, se puede usar el símbolo % después del número 90.
No, 'nobenta' con 'b' es una falta de ortografía. Siempre debe escribirse con 'v', ya que proviene de la misma raíz que 'nueve' y 'novecientos'.
Un 'noventón' o 'noventona' es una persona que tiene entre 90 y 99 años. Es un término coloquial similar a 'octogenario' para los de 80.
Se pronuncia /no-BEN-ta/. La 'v' suena como una 'b' suave. El acento tónico recae en la penúltima sílaba 'ven'.
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Noventa (90) is a fundamental cardinal number in Spanish. It is invariable, meaning it doesn't change for gender, and is essential for discussing age, time, and statistics. Mastery involves distinguishing it from 'novecientos' (900) and using the correct 'y' structure for compound numbers.
- Noventa is the Spanish word for the number 90, acting as a cardinal number and determiner that remains invariable in gender and number.
- It is commonly used for age, prices, percentages (90%), and geometry (90-degree angles), following the pattern of other tens like ochenta.
- When combined with units, it forms 'noventa y...' (e.g., noventa y cinco), and 'uno' changes to 'un' or 'una' depending on the noun.
- Key cultural references include 'los años noventa' (the 1990s) and the 'minuto noventa' in soccer, marking the end of a match.
Clear Vowels
Make sure the 'o' and 'e' are short and crisp. Spanish vowels do not glide like English ones. Practice saying 'no-ven-ta' slowly.
The 'Y' Rule
Only use 'y' for numbers 31-99. For 90, it's just 'noventa'. For 91, it's 'noventa y uno'. Never use 'y' for 190.
Root Recognition
Recognize the 'nov-' root. It will help you understand related words like 'noveno' (9th) and 'novecientos' (900) much faster.
Distinguish from 80
In noisy environments, 'noventa' and 'ochenta' can sound similar. Focus on the first consonant: 'N' for 90, 'O' (vowel) for 80.
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B2On condition that, provided that, or given that.
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a lo mejor
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a_pesar_de
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a propósito
B2By the way, on purpose; incidentally; or intentionally.
a raíz de
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