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A1 determiner #1,800 most common 11 min read

catorce

Top 1,800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips catorce in 30 Seconds

Explanation catorce in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'catorce' is introduced as a fundamental vocabulary word necessary for basic survival communication. Beginners learn 'catorce' as part of the core numbers from 1 to 20. The primary focus is on rote memorization of the word's spelling and pronunciation, ensuring the learner can recognize and produce it in simple contexts. At this stage, students use 'catorce' to state their age (e.g., 'Tengo catorce años'), provide basic quantities (e.g., 'Hay catorce sillas'), and understand simple prices or times. The grammatical concept that 'catorce' is invariable—meaning it does not change for masculine or feminine nouns—is established here. Teachers emphasize the correct pronunciation, particularly the stress on the penultimate syllable 'tor' and the correct vowel sounds, to prevent the common English-speaker habit of diphthongization. A1 learners are not expected to understand the etymology or complex ordinal uses, but they must be able to write the date 'el catorce de...' and understand it when spoken slowly and clearly. The focus is entirely on practical, immediate utility in everyday scenarios like shopping, introducing oneself, and reading a calendar.

At the A2 level, the use of 'catorce' expands into more fluid and varied conversational contexts. Learners are expected to understand 'catorce' in faster, more natural speech, distinguishing it clearly from similar-sounding numbers like 'cuarenta' (40). The application of 'catorce' in the 24-hour clock becomes a key learning objective, as A2 students learn to navigate transportation schedules, make appointments, and understand official announcements (e.g., 'El tren llega a las catorce horas'). Furthermore, A2 learners begin to use 'catorce' in conjunction with a wider vocabulary of nouns and within slightly more complex sentence structures, such as comparing quantities ('Tengo catorce libros, pero ella tiene quince'). The cultural nuance of using 'quincena' instead of 'catorce días' for a two-week period is introduced at this stage to make the learner's Spanish sound more natural. Spelling accuracy is strictly expected, and the common mistake of writing 'catorse' should be fully corrected by the end of the A2 level.

At the B1 level, learners possess a solid grasp of 'catorce' and use it automatically without hesitation. The focus shifts towards understanding 'catorce' within broader narratives, such as recounting past events, discussing historical dates, or explaining processes that involve quantities. B1 students learn to use the ordinal number 'decimocuarto' and understand when it is appropriate to substitute it with the cardinal 'catorce' in spoken Spanish (e.g., 'el siglo catorce' instead of 'el siglo decimocuarto'). They also encounter 'catorce' in idiomatic expressions or specific cultural contexts, such as references to Valentine's Day ('el catorce de febrero') without needing explicit explanation. Listening comprehension at B1 requires the ability to catch 'catorce' in noisy environments or when spoken with different regional accents. The learner can comfortably handle financial transactions, detailed scheduling, and statistical descriptions involving the number fourteen.

At the B2 level, 'catorce' is a fully integrated component of the learner's active vocabulary. The emphasis is on precision, register, and understanding nuances. B2 learners can effortlessly switch between using 'catorce' in informal settings and more formal or academic contexts. They understand the fractional use 'catorceavo' and can apply it in mathematical or analytical discussions. At this level, learners are exposed to literature, news broadcasts, and complex articles where 'catorce' might be used to present data, demographic information, or historical facts. They can debate topics involving statistics, using 'catorce' accurately within complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or subjunctive clauses (e.g., 'Dudo que haya catorce personas aquí'). The B2 learner's pronunciation of 'catorce' should be highly natural, reflecting an awareness of regional phonetic variations, such as the difference between the peninsular 'ce' (theta sound) and the Latin American 'ce' (s sound).

At the C1 level, the learner's use of 'catorce' is virtually indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of fluency and accuracy. The word is used spontaneously in all possible contexts, from highly technical professional discussions to casual, rapid-fire colloquial speech. C1 learners appreciate the stylistic choices between using cardinal and ordinal numbers in writing and speech. They can easily comprehend and produce complex numbers involving fourteen, such as 'catorce mil quinientos' (14,500) or 'catorce millones' (14,000,000), without cognitive translation. They are familiar with historical, literary, and cultural references tied to the number, such as the reign of Luis XIV (Luis Catorce) or specific poetic meters (e.g., a sonnet having fourteen lines - 'catorce versos'). At this advanced stage, 'catorce' is merely a tool used to express sophisticated ideas, and the learner's focus is on the overall coherence, cohesion, and rhetorical impact of their discourse rather than the mechanics of the number itself.

At the C2 level, mastery of 'catorce' is absolute. The learner possesses a deep, intuitive understanding of the word's phonetic, morphological, and syntactic properties. They can play with the language, using 'catorce' in creative writing, poetry, or rhetoric with complete confidence. C2 users understand the etymological roots of the word and how it relates to the broader evolution of Romance languages. They can effortlessly navigate highly specialized texts—such as legal documents, advanced scientific papers, or classical literature—where 'catorce' might appear in archaic or highly specific formulations. They are attuned to the subtlest regional variations in pronunciation and intonation. At this level of near-native proficiency, the learner can use 'catorce' to convey irony, emphasis, or precise statistical arguments, demonstrating a complete command of the Spanish language's rhythm, structure, and cultural resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

catorce in 30 Seconds

Catorce means the number fourteen (14) in English.
It is used to express age with the verb tener.
It is invariable, meaning it doesn't change for gender.
It is used for the 14th day of the month.

The Spanish word 'catorce' translates directly to the English number 'fourteen'. It is a cardinal number used to indicate quantity, age, dates, and mathematical values. Understanding 'catorce' is fundamental for any beginner learning Spanish, as numbers form the backbone of daily communication, from shopping and telling time to discussing personal information. The word itself is derived from the Latin 'quattuordecim', following the phonetic evolution typical of the Iberian Peninsula where the 'quattuor' became 'cator' and 'decim' became 'ce'. In Spanish, unlike some other languages, the numbers eleven through fifteen have unique names (once, doce, trece, catorce, quince) rather than following a strict 'ten-and-four' compound structure seen in numbers like 'dieciséis' (sixteen). This makes 'catorce' a distinct lexical item that must be memorized individually.

Grammatical Function: As a determiner or adjective, 'catorce' is invariable, meaning it does not change its form to match the gender of the noun it modifies. You say 'catorce niños' (fourteen boys) and 'catorce niñas' (fourteen girls).

Tengo catorce manzanas en la canasta.

Beyond simple counting, 'catorce' appears frequently in calendars. The fourteenth of the month is a common reference point, most notably 'el catorce de febrero' (February 14th), which is Valentine's Day, known in many Spanish-speaking countries as 'El Día de San Valentín' or 'El Día del Amor y la Amistad'.

Mathematical Use: In mathematics, 'catorce' is an even number (número par) and is the result of multiplying seven by two (siete por dos son catorce).

El catorce de febrero es el Día de San Valentín.

When discussing age, Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have) rather than 'ser' (to be). Therefore, to say 'I am fourteen years old', you say 'Tengo catorce años', literally translating to 'I have fourteen years'. This is a crucial syntactic difference from English.

Mi hermano menor tiene catorce años.

The pronunciation of 'catorce' involves three syllables: ca-tor-ce. The stress falls on the penultimate syllable 'tor'. In Spain, the final 'ce' is pronounced with a 'th' sound (the voiceless dental fricative), while in Latin America, it is pronounced with an 's' sound (seseo).

Pronunciation Note: Pay attention to the vowels. Spanish vowels are pure and short. The 'a' is open, the 'o' is rounded, and the 'e' is mid-front. Do not glide them into diphthongs as English speakers often do.

El vuelo sale a las catorce horas.

In the 24-hour clock system, which is widely used in Spanish-speaking countries for schedules, transport, and official times, 'las catorce' refers to 2:00 PM. This is an essential practical application of the word.

Necesitamos catorce sillas para la reunión.

Overall, 'catorce' is a high-frequency word that learners will encounter constantly. Mastering its spelling, pronunciation, and grammatical behavior is a key step in building a solid foundation in Spanish vocabulary. It is a word that bridges simple counting with more complex expressions of time, age, and historical reference, making it an indispensable part of the CEFR A1 lexicon.

Using 'catorce' correctly in Spanish involves understanding its role in various grammatical and conversational contexts. As a cardinal number, it is primarily used to quantify nouns. The most important rule to remember is that 'catorce' is invariable. Unlike numbers ending in 'uno' (which change to 'un' or 'una') or hundreds (which change for gender, like 'doscientos/doscientas'), 'catorce' remains exactly the same regardless of whether the noun it modifies is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.

Quantifying Nouns: Simply place 'catorce' directly before the plural noun you are counting. No prepositions or articles are needed between the number and the noun.

Compré catorce libros para la escuela.

In dates, the structure is 'el + number + de + month'. Therefore, 'the 14th of May' is 'el catorce de mayo'. This is a very common pattern that learners must master early on.

Mi cumpleaños es el catorce de noviembre.

Expressing Age: Use the verb 'tener' conjugated to the correct subject, followed by 'catorce' and the word 'años'.

Ellos tienen catorce años de casados.

Another critical use of 'catorce' is in telling time. In many Spanish-speaking regions, especially in formal contexts, transportation schedules, and television programming, the 24-hour clock is standard. To say '2:00 PM', you say 'las catorce horas'. When discussing prices or currency, 'catorce' is used just like any other number. 'Catorce euros' or 'catorce pesos'.

El billete cuesta catorce dólares.

Fractions and Decimals: In decimals, you might say 'tres coma catorce' (3.14), which is famously the approximation of Pi.

El valor de pi es aproximadamente tres coma catorce.

In sports, 'catorce' might refer to a player's jersey number. 'El número catorce' is a common way to identify an athlete. In addresses, you might live at 'Calle Mayor, número catorce'. The versatility of 'catorce' means you will use it in almost every domain of daily life. Practice combining it with different nouns, using it in time expressions, and writing out dates to fully integrate it into your active vocabulary. Remember that while it is a simple word, its correct application requires an understanding of Spanish syntax, particularly the use of 'tener' for age and the specific formatting of dates and times.

You will hear the word 'catorce' in a vast array of everyday situations across the Spanish-speaking world. Because numbers are so fundamental to human interaction, 'catorce' is ubiquitous. One of the most common places you will hear it is in commercial transactions. Whether you are at a market in Mexico City, a bakery in Madrid, or a cafe in Buenos Aires, prices frequently involve the number fourteen.

Shopping and Commerce: Listen for 'catorce' when cashiers tell you the total cost of your items, such as 'Son catorce euros con cincuenta'.

El menú del día cuesta catorce pesos.

Travel and transportation are other major domains where 'catorce' is frequently heard. If you are waiting for a train in Spain, the loudspeaker might announce, 'El tren con destino a Sevilla saldrá a las catorce horas'. Understanding this is crucial for not missing your transport.

Su vuelo aborda en la puerta catorce.

Schools and Education: In educational settings, teachers might ask students to open their books to page fourteen ('página catorce') or assign fourteen exercises.

Abran el libro en la página catorce.

You will also hear 'catorce' in social settings when people discuss ages. Teenagers, in particular, will frequently use this number. A common introductory conversation might involve asking about family members, where someone might reply that their son or daughter is fourteen years old. In the context of sports, particularly football (soccer), which is massively popular in the Hispanic world, jersey numbers are a constant topic of discussion. The player wearing number fourteen is 'el catorce'. Legendary players like Johan Cruyff famously wore the number 14, and sports commentators frequently mention it.

El jugador número catorce anotó un gol espectacular.

News and Media: News anchors use 'catorce' when reporting statistics, dates, or temperatures (e.g., 'catorce grados').

La temperatura actual es de catorce grados centígrados.

Furthermore, in historical documentaries or tours, you might hear references to the 14th century ('el siglo catorce') or King Louis XIV ('Luis catorce'). The widespread use of this number across different contexts—from the mundane task of buying groceries to the formal reporting of news and history—makes it a word you will encounter daily. Training your ear to catch 'catorce' amidst fast-spoken Spanish will significantly improve your listening comprehension and overall fluency.

While 'catorce' is a relatively simple word, learners often make several predictable mistakes regarding its spelling, pronunciation, and grammatical application. One of the most frequent errors is spelling. Because the 'c' before an 'e' or 'i' in Spanish sounds like an 's' in Latin America (and a 'th' in Spain), many beginners mistakenly write 'catorse' or even 'catorze'.

Spelling Error: Always remember that 'catorce' ends in '-ce'. Writing 'catorse' is incorrect and immediately marks the writer as a beginner or poor speller.

Correcto: Escribí catorce cartas. (Incorrecto: catorse)

Another common mistake relates to pronunciation. English speakers often put the stress on the wrong syllable, saying 'CA-tor-ce' instead of the correct 'ca-TOR-ce'. Spanish words ending in a vowel naturally have the stress on the second-to-last syllable.

Pronuncia la sílaba 'tor' con más fuerza: ca-TOR-ce.

Grammar Error: Age: Directly translating 'I am 14' to 'Soy catorce' is a classic mistake. You must use 'Tengo catorce años'.

Él tiene catorce años. (No: Él es catorce)

Learners also struggle with dates. In English, we use ordinal numbers for dates (the fourteenth). In Spanish, cardinal numbers are used for all days of the month except the first (el primero). Therefore, saying 'el decimocuarto de mayo' is highly unnatural; it should be 'el catorce de mayo'.

Hoy es el catorce de octubre.

Confusion with 40: Beginners sometimes confuse 'catorce' (14) with 'cuarenta' (40) due to the shared 'c' and 'r' sounds. Listening practice is key here.

No confundas catorce (14) con cuarenta (40).

Finally, when using 'catorce' to tell time in the 24-hour format, remember that it corresponds to 2:00 PM. A common error is calculating incorrectly and showing up at 4:00 PM. By being aware of these pitfalls—spelling the '-ce' ending, stressing the correct syllable, using 'tener' for age, using cardinal numbers for dates, and distinguishing it from 'cuarenta'—you can use 'catorce' with confidence and accuracy.

When learning 'catorce', it is helpful to contextualize it within the broader system of Spanish numbers. The most immediately similar words are the other numbers in the 'teens' group: once (11), doce (12), trece (13), and quince (15). These words share the same '-ce' ending, which is a remnant of the Latin '-decim' (meaning ten). Recognizing this pattern makes memorizing the group much easier.

The '-ce' Family: Once, doce, trece, catorce, quince all follow the same morphological pattern and are invariable in gender.

Contamos: trece, catorce, quince.

Another closely related word is 'cuatro' (four). 'Catorce' is conceptually built upon 'cuatro', representing four plus ten. While the spelling differs slightly (cua- vs. ca-), the phonetic connection is clear. Similarly, 'cuarenta' (forty) and 'cuatrocientos' (four hundred) belong to this numerical family.

Cuatro más diez son catorce.

Ordinal Counterpart: The ordinal number for 14th is 'decimocuarto' (masculine) or 'decimocuarta' (feminine). This is used for titles (like King Louis XIV) or floors in a building, but rarely for dates.

Vivo en el piso decimocuarto, o el piso catorce.

It is also worth noting the word 'quincena'. While 'catorce días' literally means fourteen days, English speakers often look for a translation for 'a fortnight' (two weeks). In Spanish, the concept of a two-week period is culturally expressed as 'una quincena' (fifteen days), not fourteen. This is a vital cultural and linguistic distinction.

Me pagan cada quincena, no cada catorce días.

Fractions: The fractional term for one-fourteenth is 'un catorceavo'. This is used in mathematics and precise measurements.

Me comí un catorceavo del pastel.

By understanding 'catorce' in relation to 'cuatro', 'cuarenta', 'decimocuarto', and its '-ce' peers, you build a mental web of vocabulary that reinforces your memory and deepens your grasp of Spanish numerical morphology.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Numbers 1-100

Expressing Age with Tener

Telling Time

Dates and Months

Invariable Adjectives

Examples by Level

Tengo catorce años.

I am fourteen years old.

Uses 'tener' for age.

Hay catorce manzanas.

There are fourteen apples.

Invariable adjective before a feminine plural noun.

El número es catorce.

The number is fourteen.

Used as a noun.

Cuesta catorce euros.

It costs fourteen euros.

Used with currency.

Hoy es catorce de mayo.

Today is May 14th.

Cardinal number used for dates.

Veo catorce perros.

I see fourteen dogs.

Direct object quantification.

Mi hermano tiene catorce.

My brother is fourteen.

Implied 'años' in context.

Son las catorce horas.

It is 14:00 (2:00 PM).

24-hour time format.

Necesito catorce sillas para la fiesta.

I need fourteen chairs for the party.

Quantifying a specific noun for an event.

El tren sale a las catorce y media.

The train leaves at 14:30.

Time expression with minutes.

Compré catorce libros ayer.

I bought fourteen books yesterday.

Used in the preterite tense.

Faltan catorce días para mis vacaciones.

There are fourteen days left until my vacation.

Expressing duration/countdown.

Ella vive en el número catorce.

She lives at number fourteen.

Used in addresses.

La talla de mi zapato es catorce.

My shoe size is fourteen.

Used for sizing.

Tenemos catorce estudiantes en la clase.

We have fourteen students in the class.

Quantifying people.

El catorce de febrero es especial.

February 14th is special.

Specific cultural date.

Cuando tenía catorce años, aprendí a nadar.

When I was fourteen years old, I learned to swim.

Imperfect tense for past age.

El proyecto durará aproximadamente catorce semanas.

The project will last approximately fourteen weeks.

Future tense with duration.

Solo catorce personas asistieron a la reunión.

Only fourteen people attended the meeting.

Used with 'solo' for emphasis.

He leído catorce capítulos del libro.

I have read fourteen chapters of the book.

Present perfect tense.

El equipo ha ganado catorce partidos seguidos.

The team has won fourteen games in a row.

Quantifying repeated actions.

Me cobraron catorce dólares por el envío.

They charged me fourteen dollars for shipping.

Financial transaction in the past.

El edificio tiene catorce pisos de altura.

The building is fourteen stories high.

Describing dimensions/height.

Luis Catorce fue un rey muy poderoso.

Louis XIV was a very powerful king.

Historical title using cardinal number.

Es improbable que encontremos catorce voluntarios hoy.

It's unlikely that we will find fourteen volunteers today.

Subjunctive mood after impersonal expression.

La empresa reportó un incremento del catorce por ciento.

The company reported a fourteen percent increase.

Used with percentages.

Si tuviera catorce millones, viajaría por el mundo.

If I had fourteen million, I would travel the world.

Imperfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

El artículo catorce de la constitución es fundamental.

Article fourteen of the constitution is fundamental.

Legal/formal referencing.

A sus catorce años, ya era un prodigio del piano.

At fourteen years old, he was already a piano prodigy.

Prepositional phrase for age.

Se requiere una mayoría de catorce votos para aprobar la ley.

A majority of fourteen votes is required to pass the law.

Passive voice construction.

La temperatura descendió catorce grados en una hora.

The temperature dropped fourteen degrees in one hour.

Scientific/meteorological data.

Había catorce mil personas en el concierto.

There were fourteen thousand people at the concert.

Used as part of a larger number.

La obra consta de catorce sonetos meticulosamente estructurados.

The work consists of fourteen meticulously structured sonnets.

Literary analysis vocabulary.

El déficit se ha reducido en un catorce coma cinco por ciento.

The deficit has been reduced by fourteen point five percent.

Precise decimal usage in economics.

Apenas catorce individuos lograron culminar la extenuante prueba.

Barely fourteen individuals managed to complete the grueling test.

Advanced vocabulary and syntax.

La enmienda catorce garantiza la igualdad de protección ante la ley.

The fourteenth amendment guarantees equal protection under the law.

Specific legal/historical terminology.

Se estima que la galaxia está a catorce mil millones de años luz.

It is estimated that the galaxy is fourteen billion light-years away.

Astronomical scale numbers.

El tratado fue ratificado por catorce de los estados miembros.

The treaty was ratified by fourteen of the member states.

Formal political discourse.

Su reinado en el siglo catorce estuvo marcado por la agitación social.

His reign in the fourteenth century was marked by social upheaval.

Historical narrative.

Posee una participación del catorce por ciento en la corporación.

He holds a fourteen percent stake in the corporation.

Business and finance terminology.

La exégesis del capítulo catorce revela profundas contradicciones teológicas.

The exegesis of chapter fourteen reveals profound theological contradictions.

Highly academic/theological context.

El isótopo carbono-catorce es vital para la datación radiométrica.

The carbon-14 isotope is vital for radiometric dating.

Scientific terminology.

Escribió un poema en versos alejandrinos de catorce sílabas.

He wrote a poem in Alexandrine verses of fourteen syllables.

Advanced literary metrics.

La jurisprudencia se apoya en el precedente del caso catorce.

The jurisprudence relies on the precedent of case fourteen.

Legal jargon.

Se detectó una anomalía en el cromosoma catorce.

An anomaly was detected in chromosome fourteen.

Genetics and biology.

La sinfonía número catorce de Shostakóvich es una meditación sobre la muerte.

Shostakovich's Symphony No. 14 is a meditation on death.

Classical music critique.

El catorceavo batallón fue diezmado durante la ofensiva.

The fourteenth battalion was decimated during the offensive.

Military history using fractional/ordinal form.

La inflación interanual se disparó hasta un insostenible catorce por ciento.

Year-over-year inflation skyrocketed to an unsustainable fourteen percent.

Advanced economic analysis.

Common Collocations

catorce años

catorce días

catorce de febrero

las catorce horas

catorce por ciento

número catorce

siglo catorce

Luis Catorce

catorce mil

catorce millones

Common Phrases

Tengo catorce años

El catorce de febrero

A las catorce horas

Catorce días

Número catorce

Página catorce

Calle catorce

Día catorce

Catorce euros

Catorce por ciento

Often Confused With

catorce vs cuarenta

catorce vs catorse

catorce vs cuatro

Idioms & Expressions

"No hay catorce sin quince"

"Estar en sus catorce"

"Catorce de la suerte"

"Día catorce"

"Semana catorce"

"Año catorce"

"Mes catorce"

"Hora catorce"

"Minuto catorce"

"Segundo catorce"

Easily Confused

catorce vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

age

Use tener for age.

dates

Use cardinal numbers for dates.

Common Mistakes

Spelling it as 'catorse'.
Saying 'Soy catorce' instead of 'Tengo catorce años'.
Pronouncing it with the stress on the first syllable.
Confusing it with 'cuarenta' (40).
Using 'decimocuarto' for dates instead of 'catorce'.

Tips

Watch the C

Always spell catorce with a C at the end, never an S.

Age Verb

Always use tener for age, never ser.

Stress the Middle

The stress goes on the TOR: ca-TOR-ce.

Valentine's Day

El catorce de febrero is Valentine's Day.

24-Hour Clock

Las catorce means 2:00 PM.

Cardinal Dates

Use catorce for dates, not decimocuarto.

Don't Confuse 40

Listen carefully to distinguish catorce from cuarenta.

The -ce Family

Remember 11-15 all end in -ce.

Even Number

Catorce is an even number (número par).

Invariable

Catorce never changes to match gender.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

A CAT tore CE (catorce) fourteen curtains.

Word Origin

Latin

Cultural Context

Las catorce horas is standard for official schedules.

El catorce de febrero is a major commercial and social holiday.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"¿Tienes catorce años?"

"¿Qué haces el catorce de febrero?"

"¿Nos vemos a las catorce horas?"

"¿Cuesta catorce euros?"

"¿Vives en el número catorce?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre lo que hacías cuando tenías catorce años.

Describe tu día ideal el catorce de febrero.

Haz una lista de catorce cosas que te gustan.

Escribe una historia de catorce palabras.

Planea un viaje de catorce días.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is spelled catorce. Remember it ends in -ce, not -se.

You say 'Tengo catorce años'. Do not use the verb 'ser'.

Catorce is invariable. It does not change for gender.

In the 24-hour clock, it is 'las catorce horas'.

It is 'el catorce de febrero'.

It is pronounced ca-TOR-ce. Stress the middle syllable.

Catorce is 14, cuarenta is 40.

Only if you are referring to the number itself as a noun, like 'There are two fourteens'.

Yes, you can say 'el siglo catorce'.

No, it is a cardinal number. The ordinal is decimocuarto.