At the A1 level, the word 'quinto' is introduced as part of the basic set of ordinal numbers (primero, segundo, tercero, cuarto, quinto). Students learn to use it for simple sequencing, such as floors in a building or positions in a short queue. The primary focus is on basic recognition and the simple masculine/feminine distinction. You might use it to say 'Vivo en el quinto piso' or 'Es mi quinto día en Madrid'. At this stage, learners are not expected to know complex idioms or historical references, but rather to use the word as a functional tool for basic navigation and counting within a list of five items. The key challenge for A1 learners is remembering that it is 'quinto' and not 'cinco' when referring to order, and ensuring they don't try to shorten it like 'primer'.
At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'quinto' to include more common everyday contexts and specific cultural nuances. This includes understanding its use in historical titles (like Carlos V) and starting to recognize it in common phrases. A2 students should be comfortable using 'quinto' and 'quinta' to describe sequences in stories or instructions (e.g., 'La quinta instrucción es...'). They also begin to encounter the word in fractional contexts, such as 'un quinto de...' in basic descriptions of quantities. The A2 learner should also be aware of the 'quinto' as a small beer bottle in Spain, as this is a high-frequency cultural term in social settings. Mastery of gender agreement is expected at this level, and the learner should be able to distinguish between 'el quinto' (the fifth one) and 'un quinto' (a fifth part/a beer).
At the B1 level, 'quinto' becomes a more versatile tool for expression. Learners use it in more abstract ways, such as discussing the 'quinta sinfonía' or describing a 'quinto sentido' (a fifth sense). They are introduced to more idiomatic expressions like 'no hay quinto malo', which requires an understanding of cultural context (bullfighting). B1 learners should also be able to use 'quinto' in more complex grammatical structures, such as within relative clauses or as part of more sophisticated noun phrases. The use of 'quinta' to mean a country house or villa in certain Latin American dialects is also introduced at this stage, allowing the learner to navigate regional differences in vocabulary. Their understanding of the 'quinto' as a historical military term (conscript) also deepens, providing more texture to their reading of Spanish history or literature.
At the B2 level, students are expected to use 'quinto' with near-native precision, including in formal and academic contexts. They should be familiar with the 'círculo de quintas' in music or the 'quinto real' in historical economics. B2 learners can handle the word in statistical reporting ('la quinta parte de la muestra') and understand the nuance of its placement before or after a noun in different registers. They should also be familiar with the idiom 'en el quinto pino', meaning very far away, and be able to use it naturally in conversation. At this level, the focus shifts to the subtle connotations the word carries in different professional fields, from law to music to history, and the ability to switch between these meanings fluidly based on the topic of discussion.
At the C1 level, 'quinto' is used with full awareness of its stylistic and historical weight. The learner understands the etymological roots and how they branch into words like 'quintuplicar' or 'quintaesencia' (quintessence). They can appreciate literary uses of the word, where it might be used to evoke a specific historical era or a sense of rigid order. C1 learners are also sensitive to regionalisms, knowing exactly where 'quinta' refers to a house versus a military draft. They can use the word in complex rhetorical structures and understand its role in traditional proverbs and their modern subversions. Their grasp of the word includes its use in highly specialized fields, such as advanced music theory or specific legal historical documents, where 'quinto' might refer to a specific type of tax or land division.
At the C2 level, the mastery of 'quinto' is absolute. The speaker can use the word and its derivatives to express highly nuanced ideas with precision. They understand the deepest cultural resonances, such as the social implications of the 'quintos' traditions in rural Spain or the architectural history of the 'quintas' in the River Plate region. A C2 learner can play with the word in puns, creative writing, and high-level academic discourse. They are aware of archaic uses that might appear in Golden Age literature and can interpret them correctly. The word is no longer just an ordinal number but a versatile semantic unit that can be deployed across a vast range of registers, from the most colloquial slang in a Madrid bar to the most formal historical treatise on the Habsburg dynasty.

Quinto/a 30 सेकंड में

  • Quinto is the Spanish ordinal for 'fifth', changing to 'quinta' for feminine nouns.
  • It is used for floors, rankings, fractions, and historical titles like Carlos V.
  • In Spain, a 'quinto' is also a small beer, and in Latin America, a 'quinta' is a villa.
  • Unlike 'primero', 'quinto' never drops its ending before masculine nouns.
The Spanish word quinto (masculine) or quinta (feminine) is the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number five (cinco). In its most fundamental sense, it designates the position of an element in a sequence where four preceding elements have already been accounted for. Unlike English, where 'fifth' remains static regardless of the noun it modifies, Spanish requires strict gender and number agreement. This means you will use el quinto libro (the fifth book) but la quinta casa (the fifth house).
Ordinal Function
It functions primarily as an adjective to denote order. In Spanish, ordinal numbers from first to tenth are very common, whereas higher numbers often revert to cardinal forms in casual speech.
Fractional Usage
When used as a noun, 'un quinto' refers to a fraction—one fifth (1/5). In Spain, it specifically refers to a small bottle of beer (200ml), literally a fifth of a liter.

Vivo en el quinto piso de este edificio antiguo.

Beyond simple counting, 'quinto' appears in historical titles, such as Carlos V (Carlos Quinto), the Holy Roman Emperor. It also appears in the concept of the 'Quinto Real', a historical tax of 20% (one fifth) levied by the Spanish crown on precious metals. In modern social contexts, you might hear 'quinto' used in military contexts to refer to conscripts, specifically those in the same draft class. This usage stems from the historical practice where one out of every five young men was selected for service.

Esta es la quinta vez que te llamo hoy.

Musical Context
In music theory, a 'quinta' refers to the interval of a fifth. It is a fundamental building block of harmony and the 'circle of fifths' (círculo de quintas).
Understanding 'quinto' requires recognizing its flexibility between being an adjective, a noun, and a specific cultural marker. Whether you are ordering a beer in Madrid, talking about history, or simply counting floors in an elevator, 'quinto' is a high-frequency term that bridges the gap between basic numeracy and advanced cultural nuance. It is essential for A2 learners to master the gender agreement immediately, as errors like 'el quinta piso' are very noticeable to native speakers.
Using quinto/a correctly in sentences involves understanding its role as an ordinal adjective. In Spanish, ordinal numbers usually precede the noun they modify, which is a slight departure from the general rule that adjectives follow nouns. However, they can follow the noun in specific titles or when emphasizing a specific item in a list.
Pre-nominal Position
This is the standard placement for counting. Example: 'El quinto elemento' (The fifth element). Here, it sets the stage for the noun.
Post-nominal Position
Common in titles of monarchs or popes. Example: 'Felipe Quinto' (Philip V). It is also used in some specific institutional names.

Mi oficina está en la quinta planta, justo al lado del ascensor.

When 'quinto' acts as a noun, it can represent a person or a thing. For instance, in a race, you might say, 'El quinto en llegar recibirá una medalla' (The fifth one to arrive will receive a medal). In this case, the noun 'corredor' (runner) is implied. Agreement still matters here; if you are talking about a group of women, you would say 'La quinta en llegar'.

He leído hasta el quinto capítulo de la novela.

Pluralization
While less common, ordinals can be pluralized when referring to multiple 'fifth' items. Example: 'Los quintos puestos' (The fifth places).

La quinta sinfonía de Beethoven es famosísima en todo el mundo.

The word also appears in mathematical contexts as a fraction. 'Un quinto de la población' (One fifth of the population). Notice that as a fraction, it usually remains masculine unless modifying a feminine concept in a very specific grammatical structure, though 'una quinta parte' is the most common way to express the feminine fraction.
In daily life, quinto is omnipresent. You will hear it most frequently in urban environments when discussing building levels. In Spain, the 'quinto piso' is actually the sixth floor by American standards, as the ground floor is 'planta baja'. This distinction is crucial for travelers.
At the Bar
In Spanish 'cañas' culture, 'un quinto' is a very specific order. It refers to the size of the bottle. It is the perfect size if you want a cold beer that won't get warm before you finish it.
In Sports Commentary
You will hear it during Olympic coverage or football leagues: 'El equipo terminó en quinta posición'. It denotes a respectable but non-podium finish.

¿Nos vemos en el bar? Me apetece un quinto bien frío.

In Latin America, specifically in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, or Mexico, a 'quinta' is a place of leisure. If someone invites you to their 'quinta' for the weekend, they are inviting you to their country estate or vacation home, usually with a garden and pool. This is a very common use in those regions.

Pasamos el fin de semana en la quinta de mis abuelos.

Military and Tradition
In many Spanish towns, the 'fiesta de los quintos' remains a tradition. It was originally a celebration for the young men going off to do their mandatory military service. Today, it's a rite of passage for 18-year-olds.
Lastly, you'll hear it in the news when discussing demographics or statistics: 'Uno de cada cinco' (one out of five) or 'la quinta parte de los encuestados' (one fifth of those surveyed). It is a fundamental word for quantifying social data.
The most common mistake for English speakers is treating quinto as if it were the cardinal number 'cinco'. While English uses 'five' and 'fifth' distinctly, learners sometimes mix up the Spanish equivalents in complex sentences.
Apocope Error
Learners often over-apply the rule from 'primero' and 'tercero'. You say 'el primer día', but you MUST say 'el quinto día'. Saying 'el quint día' is a major grammatical error.
Gender Mismatch
Using 'el quinta' or 'la quinto'. Remember that the ordinal number is an adjective and must mirror the noun's gender perfectly: 'la quinta fila' (the fifth row).

Incorrect: Es el cinco vez. Correct: Es la quinta vez.

Another subtle mistake involves the use of 'quinto' in dates. In Spanish, we use cardinal numbers for all days of the month except sometimes the first ('el primero'). Therefore, for the 5th of May, you should say 'el cinco de mayo', not 'el quinto de mayo'. Using 'quinto' here sounds archaic or overly formal.

Wrong: Mi cumpleaños es el quinto de agosto. Right: Mi cumpleaños es el cinco de agosto.

Fractional Confusion
When talking about percentages, 20% is 'un quinto'. However, learners sometimes try to use 'cinco por ciento' (5%) when they mean 'un quinto' (20%). Ensure you know the difference between the fraction and the percentage.
Finally, avoid using 'quinto' for 'fifth' in very large numbers (like 105th). In those cases, Spanish speakers almost always use the cardinal number 'ciento cinco' followed by the noun, as the ordinal 'centésimo quinto' is extremely formal and rarely used in speech.
To expand your vocabulary, it's useful to look at words related to quinto and how they differ in usage. The most obvious relative is 'cinco', but there are many others.
Cinco vs. Quinto
'Cinco' is the quantity (five apples), while 'quinto' is the position (the fifth apple). They are not interchangeable. Use 'cinco' for counting and 'quinto' for ordering.
Quíntuple
This means 'fivefold' or 'quintuple'. Use this when something is five times the size or amount of something else. 'Una inversión quíntuple' (A fivefold investment).
Quindenio
A more obscure term referring to a period of fifteen years. While it shares the 'quin-' root, it is distinct from the 'fifth' concept.

No es lo mismo tener cinco opciones que elegir la quinta opción.

If you want to say 'one fifth' in a more formal way, you can use 'la quinta parte'. In mathematical or scientific writing, this is preferred over simply saying 'un quinto'. For example: 'La quinta parte de los reactivos se disolvió'.

El quinteto de cuerda interpretó una obra contemporánea.

Quinteto
A group of five people, usually in a musical or athletic context (like a basketball starting five). 'El quinteto inicial'.
Quincena
A very common word meaning 'fortnight' or 'fifteen days'. Many people in Spanish-speaking countries get paid 'por quincena' (every two weeks).
Understanding these variations helps you see the 'quin-' root (from Latin 'quintus') across the language, linking concepts of five, fifths, and groups of five.

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

"La quinta cláusula del contrato especifica los términos."

तटस्थ

"Vivo en el quinto piso."

अनौपचारिक

"Ese bar está en el quinto pino."

Child friendly

"El quinto patito era de color amarillo."

बोलचाल

"¡Ponme un quinto!"

रोचक तथ्य

The 'Quinto Real' tax was so significant that it funded much of the Spanish Empire's expansion in the Americas.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ˈkinto/
US /ˈkintoʊ/
The stress is on the first syllable: QUIN-to.
तुकबंदी
recinto distinto instinto laberinto pintó tinto jacinto extinto
आम गलतियाँ
  • Pronouncing the 'u' (it is silent).
  • Using an English 'th' sound for 't'.
  • Making the 'i' sound like the 'i' in 'sit' (it should be 'ee').
  • Dropping the final 'o' before masculine nouns.
  • Aspirating the 'k' sound too much.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to similarity with other 'quin-' words.

लिखना 3/5

Requires attention to gender agreement and avoiding the 'primero' shortening rule.

बोलना 3/5

The 'qu' sound and gender agreement need practice for fluency.

श्रवण 2/5

Clearly distinguishable in most dialects.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

cinco primero segundo tercero cuarto

आगे सीखें

sexto séptimo octavo noveno décimo

उन्नत

quintaesencia quintuplicar quincuagésimo

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

Vivo en el quinto piso.

I live on the fifth floor.

Ordinal number 'quinto' matches masculine 'piso'.

2

Es mi quinto día aquí.

It is my fifth day here.

Placement before the noun 'día'.

3

Ella es la quinta en la fila.

She is the fifth in line.

Feminine 'quinta' matches the implied female person.

4

Tengo cinco libros, este es el quinto.

I have five books, this is the fifth.

Contrast between cardinal 'cinco' and ordinal 'quinto'.

5

La quinta calle a la derecha.

The fifth street on the right.

Feminine 'quinta' matches 'calle'.

6

El quinto niño es mi hermano.

The fifth boy is my brother.

Ordinal used to identify a specific person.

7

Estamos en la quinta lección.

We are in the fifth lesson.

Feminine agreement with 'lección'.

8

Es el quinto mes del año.

It is the fifth month of the year.

Masculine agreement with 'mes'.

1

Carlos Quinto fue un rey muy importante.

Charles V was a very important king.

Ordinal follows the name in royal titles.

2

Dame un quinto de cerveza, por favor.

Give me a small bottle of beer, please.

'Un quinto' used as a noun in Spain.

3

La quinta parte de diez es dos.

One fifth of ten is two.

'La quinta parte' is the standard way to say 1/5.

4

Mi oficina es la quinta puerta a la izquierda.

My office is the fifth door on the left.

Agreement with feminine 'puerta'.

5

Este es el quinto coche que compro.

This is the fifth car I am buying.

Ordinal used for repeated actions.

6

El quinto capítulo es el más largo.

The fifth chapter is the longest.

Agreement with masculine 'capítulo'.

7

Llegó en quinta posición en la carrera.

He finished in fifth position in the race.

Ordinal used for rankings.

8

La quinta planta del hospital es para niños.

The fifth floor of the hospital is for children.

Agreement with feminine 'planta'.

1

No hay quinto malo, según el refrán.

There is no bad fifth, according to the proverb.

Fixed idiomatic expression.

2

Alquilamos una quinta para el verano.

We rented a country house for the summer.

'Quinta' used as a noun meaning villa (Latin America).

3

Beethoven compuso su quinta sinfonía.

Beethoven composed his fifth symphony.

Cultural reference.

4

El quinto pino está muy lejos de aquí.

The 'fifth pine' is very far from here.

Idiom for a very distant place.

5

El quinto elemento de la tabla periódica es el boro.

The fifth element of the periodic table is boron.

Scientific context.

6

Los quintos del pueblo celebran su fiesta hoy.

The village conscripts celebrate their party today.

Cultural term for youth of the same age/draft.

7

Es la quinta vez que intento llamarte.

It's the fifth time I've tried to call you.

Ordinal used for emphasis of repetition.

8

El intervalo de quinta es fundamental en la música.

The interval of a fifth is fundamental in music.

Musical technical term.

1

La quintaesencia del arte se encuentra en este museo.

The quintessence of art is found in this museum.

Derivative 'quintaesencia'.

2

El presupuesto se redujo a una quinta parte.

The budget was reduced to one fifth.

Fractional usage in formal context.

3

Vivía en el quinto infierno, incomunicado.

He lived in the 'fifth hell', isolated.

Idiom for an unpleasant or remote place.

4

La quinta columna operaba desde dentro de la ciudad.

The fifth column was operating from within the city.

Historical/Political term.

5

El coche tiene una quinta marcha muy larga.

The car has a very long fifth gear.

Automotive context.

6

Fue el quinto centenario del descubrimiento.

It was the fifth centenary of the discovery.

Formal historical term.

7

El quinto de los mandamientos es 'no matarás'.

The fifth of the commandments is 'thou shalt not kill'.

Religious context.

8

Se graduó en el quinto superior de su clase.

He graduated in the top fifth of his class.

Academic statistics.

1

El Quinto Real era un impuesto sobre los metales.

The Royal Fifth was a tax on metals.

Historical economic term.

2

La obra se divide en cinco actos, siendo el quinto el más trágico.

The work is divided into five acts, the fifth being the most tragic.

Literary analysis.

3

El círculo de quintas es esencial para modular.

The circle of fifths is essential for modulating.

Advanced music theory.

4

La quinta acepción del diccionario es la más adecuada.

The fifth definition in the dictionary is the most appropriate.

Linguistic precision.

5

Hubo una quinta de soldados jóvenes ese año.

There was a draft of young soldiers that year.

Specific historical noun usage.

6

El quinto jinete del Apocalipsis es una metáfora moderna.

The fifth horseman of the Apocalypse is a modern metaphor.

Literary metaphor.

7

El edificio sigue los cánones del siglo quinto.

The building follows the canons of the fifth century.

Historical dating.

8

Su discurso fue la quintaesencia de la demagogia.

His speech was the quintessence of demagoguery.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

1

La estructura se rige por la quinta dimensión teórica.

The structure is governed by the theoretical fifth dimension.

Scientific/Philosophical context.

2

El autor juega con la ambigüedad del quinto término.

The author plays with the ambiguity of the fifth term.

Advanced literary criticism.

3

Se analizó la quintaesenciada pureza del cristal.

The quintessenced purity of the crystal was analyzed.

Highly formal adjective form.

4

El quinto de los problemas de Hilbert sigue sin resolverse.

The fifth of Hilbert's problems remains unsolved.

Specialized academic reference.

5

La quinta rueda del carro es una metáfora de la redundancia.

The fifth wheel of the cart is a metaphor for redundancy.

Complex idiomatic usage.

6

En la quinta de los sordos, Goya pintó sus obras más oscuras.

In the Villa of the Deaf, Goya painted his darkest works.

Specific historical/artistic reference.

7

La quinta de abanico es una técnica de esgrima antigua.

The 'quinta de abanico' is an ancient fencing technique.

Highly specialized terminology.

8

La quintaesencialidad del ser es un tema recurrente.

The quintessentiality of being is a recurring theme.

Abstract noun form.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

quinto piso
quinta vez
quinta sinfonía
quinto centenario
quinta marcha
quinto elemento
quinta posición
quinta avenida
quinta parte
Carlos Quinto

सामान्य वाक्यांश

un quinto de cerveza

— A small 200ml bottle of beer in Spain.

Camarero, un quinto, por favor.

la quinta planta

— The fifth floor of a building.

La oficina está en la quinta planta.

quinto de primaria

— The fifth grade of elementary school.

Mi hijo está en quinto de primaria.

un quinto de hora

— 12 minutes (rare, but used in fractions).

Tardó un quinto de hora en llegar.

el quinto mandamiento

— Thou shalt not kill (Catholic tradition).

Recuerda el quinto mandamiento.

quinto pino

— A place that is very far away.

Su casa está en el quinto pino.

quinta columna

— A group within a country at war who are working for its enemies.

Temían a la quinta columna.

quinto real

— Historical 20% tax on precious metals.

El rey exigía el quinto real.

quinta de recreo

— A vacation or country house.

Fuimos a su quinta de recreo.

no hay quinto malo

— The fifth attempt or item will be good (optimism).

Inténtalo de nuevo, no hay quinto malo.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"Estar en el quinto pino"

— To be extremely far away.

No voy a su fiesta, vive en el quinto pino.

informal
"No hay quinto malo"

— The fifth one is always good; often used to encourage persistence.

Este es tu quinto examen, ¡ánimo, que no hay quinto malo!

colloquial
"Mandar a alguien al quinto pino"

— To tell someone to get lost or go very far away.

Me harté de sus mentiras y lo mandé al quinto pino.

informal
"Ser la quinta rueda del carro"

— To be a third wheel or redundant/useless.

En esa reunión me sentí como la quinta rueda del carro.

colloquial
"Estar en el quinto infierno"

— To be in a very remote or unpleasant place.

Ese pueblo está en el quinto infierno.

informal
"La quinta columna"

— Internal traitors or secret supporters of an enemy.

El general advirtió sobre la quinta columna.

political
"Tener un quinto sentido"

— Often used jokingly to refer to intuition (usually 'sexto sentido' is used, but 'quinto' can appear in specific wordplay).

Tiene un quinto sentido para los negocios.

neutral
"Ponerse en la quinta"

— To put a car in fifth gear; metaphorically to go fast.

Ponte en la quinta y termina el trabajo.

informal
"Los quintos"

— The group of young men from the same year called for military service.

Los quintos del 92 se reunieron ayer.

cultural
"Quintaesencia"

— The most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Ella es la quintaesencia de la elegancia.

formal

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

क्रिया

विशेषण

संबंधित

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of a 'quintuplet' (one of five babies). The 'quinto' is the fifth baby in the row.

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a 5-star hotel where you are staying on the 'quinto' floor (5th floor).

Word Web

cinco quinto piso quinta vez quinto pino quinta marcha quinta sinfonía quinto elemento quinto centenario

चैलेंज

Try to count five things in your room and point to the 'quinto' object while saying its name and gender correctly.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

From the Latin 'quintus', which is the ordinal form of 'quinque' (five).

मूल अर्थ: Fifth in a series.

Romance (Latin-derived).

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

No major sensitivities, but 'quinta columna' has strong political connotations related to betrayal.

English speakers often use 'fifth' for dates (May 5th), but Spanish speakers use 'cinco' (5 de mayo).

The Fifth Element (El quinto elemento) movie Beethoven's 5th Symphony (Quinta Sinfonía) Charles V (Carlos Quinto) chocolate brand in Mexico

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Buildings

  • quinto piso
  • quinta planta
  • el ascensor al quinto
  • subir al quinto

Ordering in a bar

संबंधित सामग्री

general के और शब्द

a causa de

A2

इसका अर्थ है 'के कारण' या 'की वजह से'। इसका उपयोग किसी संज्ञा के साथ कारण बताने के लिए किया जाता है।

a condición de que

B2

On condition that, provided that, or given that.

a dónde

A1

कहाँ? (किस स्थान या गंतव्य की ओर?)

a lo mejor

A2

शायद; मुमकिन है। 'a lo mejor' स्पेनिश बातचीत में बहुत आम है।

a menos que

B1

जब तक कि. मैं नहीं जाऊंगा जब तक कि वह न आए। (I won't go unless he comes.)

a no ser que

B2

इसका अर्थ है 'जब तक कि' या 'बशर्ते कि'। यह किसी नियम के अपवाद को दर्शाता है।

a pesar de

B1

के बावजूद। 'बारिश के बावजूद वह आया।' (Despite the rain, he came.)

a_pesar_de

B2

बारिश के बावजूद, हम बाहर गए।

a propósito

B2

1. वैसे / प्रसंगवश: विषय बदलने के लिए उपयोग किया जाता है। 2. जानबूझकर: इरादे से कुछ करना। 'वैसे, क्या आपने मेरी किताब देखी?' और 'उसने यह जानबूझकर किया।'

a raíz de

B2

के परिणामस्वरूप; के कारण।

क्या यह मददगार था?
अभी तक कोई टिप्पणी नहीं। अपने विचार साझा करने वाले पहले व्यक्ति बनें!