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A1 adjective 11 min read

sexto

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips sexto in 30 Seconds

Explanation sexto in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'sexto' as part of the basic set of ordinal numbers from 1 to 10. You will primarily use it to describe floors in a building (sexto piso) or positions in a simple list. The focus is on recognizing the word and remembering that it means '6th'. You should also begin to notice that it changes to 'sexta' if the object is feminine, like 'la sexta silla'. This level is about building the foundation of counting and ordering objects in your immediate environment.

At the A2 level, you start using 'sexto' in more varied contexts, such as describing your daily routine or past experiences. You might talk about 'el sexto día de mis vacaciones' (the sixth day of my vacation) or 'mi sexta clase de español'. You are expected to handle gender agreement more consistently and understand the word when used in simple audio recordings or short texts about travel and school. You also learn that for dates, you use 'seis' instead of 'sexto', which is a key distinction at this stage.

At the B1 level, 'sexto' appears in more complex sentence structures. You might use it to express fractions in recipes or basic math (un sexto de taza). You also encounter it in social contexts, such as 'el sexto sentido' (intuition). At this stage, you should be comfortable using the word in both masculine and feminine forms without hesitation and understand its use in historical contexts (like centuries or kings) even if you don't use it that way often yourself. You start to see how 'sexto' fits into the broader system of Spanish adjectives.

At the B2 level, you use 'sexto' with greater precision in professional and academic settings. You might discuss 'la sexta posición en el mercado' or analyze 'el capítulo sexto' of a book. You are aware of the stylistic choice between using the ordinal 'sexto' and the cardinal 'seis' and can choose the one that fits the formality of the situation. You also understand more idiomatic or technical uses, such as those found in sports journalism or legal documents where specific articles or clauses are numbered.

At the C1 level, your use of 'sexto' is nuanced. You can use it in formal speeches, complex academic writing, and literary analysis. You are familiar with historical figures like 'Felipe VI' (Felipe Sexto) and the specific rules for naming monarchs and popes. You can also use related words like 'sextuplicar' or 'sextuplete' correctly in context. Your pronunciation is refined, and you can distinguish between the formal 'ks' sound and the informal 's' sound of the 'x', using each appropriately depending on the audience.

At the C2 level, 'sexto' is a tool you use effortlessly within the full range of the Spanish language. You can appreciate its use in classical literature, poetry, and philosophy. You understand the etymological roots (from Latin 'sextus') and how this influences other words in the Romance family. You can engage in deep discussions about 'el sexto sentido' in a psychological or philosophical framework. The word is no longer just a number to you; it is a versatile descriptor that you use with perfect grammatical accuracy and stylistic flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

sexto in 30 Seconds

Sexto means 'sixth' and is used to show the position of something in a sequence of six items.
It is an adjective, so it changes to 'sexta' for feminine nouns and 'sextos/sextas' for plural nouns.
Commonly used for floors in buildings, grades in school, sports rankings, and the famous 'sexto sentido'.
In Spanish, you use the cardinal number 'seis' for dates, unlike the English 'sixth of June'.

The Spanish word sexto is the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number seis (six). In English, it translates directly to "sixth". As an adjective, its primary function is to indicate the position or rank of an object, person, or event within a sequence that follows the fifth and precedes the seventh. It is a fundamental part of the Spanish numerical system and is one of the first ordinal numbers learners encounter after mastering the basics of counting. Because it functions as an adjective, it is subject to the rules of gender and number agreement, meaning it can appear as sexto (masculine singular), sexta (feminine singular), sextos (masculine plural), or sextas (feminine plural).

Ordinal Positioning: This word is used whenever you need to describe something in the number six spot. For example, in a race, the person who arrives after the fifth runner is in the sexto lugar (sixth place). In a building, the floor above the fifth is the sexto piso.
Fractions and Parts: While often used as an adjective, un sexto can also function as a noun to represent the fraction 1/6. In culinary or mathematical contexts, you might hear someone ask for un sexto de la tarta (a sixth of the cake).
Historical and Royal Titles: In Spanish, royal titles and names of popes use ordinal numbers. While written with Roman numerals (VI), it is pronounced as an ordinal. For instance, King Felipe VI is spoken as Felipe sexto.

El apartamento está en el sexto piso del edificio azul.

Translation: The apartment is on the sixth floor of the blue building.

Understanding the usage of sexto is crucial because Spanish speakers often switch to cardinal numbers (six, seven, eight) for higher positions, but for numbers one through ten, the ordinal form is strictly preferred in most formal and many informal contexts. In school settings, sexto grado or sexto de primaria refers to the final year of primary education in many Spanish-speaking countries, marking a significant milestone for children around age 11 or 12.

Ella es la sexta persona en la fila para el concierto.

Translation: She is the sixth person in the line for the concert.

The word is also deeply embedded in idiomatic expressions. The most famous is el sexto sentido (the sixth sense), referring to intuition or a perception beyond the five physical senses. This phrase is used identically in both English and Spanish, making it an easy bridge for learners. In terms of phonetics, the "x" in sexto is often pronounced like an "s" in casual speech (sesto), though the standard and formal pronunciation retains the "ks" sound.

Using sexto correctly requires attention to the noun it accompanies. Because it is an adjective, it must match the gender (masculine or feminine) and the number (singular or plural) of the noun. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers, as the English word "sixth" never changes its form. In Spanish, if you are talking about a car (el coche), you say el sexto coche. If you are talking about a house (la casa), you must change the ending to la sexta casa.

Masculine Singular: Used with masculine nouns like piso (floor), mes (month), or sentido (sense). Example: El sexto mes del año es junio. (The sixth month of the year is June.)
Feminine Singular: Used with feminine nouns like vez (time), semana (week), or planta (floor/level). Example: Es la sexta vez que te llamo hoy. (It is the sixth time I have called you today.)
Plural Forms: While less common, plurals exist for groups. Example: Los sextos y séptimos grados irán de excursión. (The sixth and seventh grades will go on a field trip.)

Mi oficina se encuentra en la sexta planta, justo al lado del ascensor.

Translation: My office is located on the sixth floor, right next to the elevator.

Another important rule to remember is that when sexto is used to name centuries or chapters, it usually follows the noun. For example, el siglo sexto (the sixth century) or el capítulo sexto (chapter six). However, in modern daily Spanish, it is increasingly common to hear el siglo seis or el capítulo seis using cardinal numbers, though sexto remains the more elegant and grammatically traditional choice.

Hoy celebramos el sexto aniversario de nuestra empresa.

Translation: Today we celebrate the sixth anniversary of our company.

In mathematical contexts, sexto is used to describe parts of a whole. If you divide a pizza into six equal parts, each part is un sexto. If you have two parts, you have dos sextos. This usage is vital for recipes, construction, and basic arithmetic. Remember that when used as a fraction, the gender is usually masculine (un sexto) unless it specifically refers to a feminine noun being divided, which is rare.

In the real world, you will encounter sexto in a variety of specific environments. One of the most common is the urban landscape. In cities like Madrid, Buenos Aires, or Mexico City, buildings are often quite tall. When using an elevator (el ascensor), you will see the number 6, but the voice announcement or the person you are meeting will say en el sexto. It is a daily word for anyone living or working in a multi-story building.

The School System: Education is another primary domain. In Spain and many Latin American countries, sexto de primaria is the final year of elementary school. Parents often talk about their children being in sexto, which implies a transition toward secondary education (ESO or bachillerato).
Sports and Competitions: In sports news (la prensa deportiva), you will hear sexto when discussing league tables. If a team like Real Betis is in sexta posición, it means they are currently sixth in the standings, which often has implications for European tournament qualification.
News and Current Events: Journalists use it for chronological events. La sexta ola de la pandemia (the sixth wave of the pandemic) was a common phrase in recent years. It is used to categorize recurring phenomena that happen in phases.

El corredor terminó en sexto lugar, ganando un diploma olímpico.

Translation: The runner finished in sixth place, winning an Olympic diploma.

In Spain, there is even a popular television channel called La Sexta. It is one of the major national broadcasters. When people say, "Pon la sexta" (Put on the sixth), they aren't talking about a floor or a grade; they are referring specifically to this TV station. This shows how ordinal numbers can become proper nouns in popular culture.

¿Viste el debate anoche en la Sexta? Fue muy intenso.

Translation: Did you see the debate last night on La Sexta? It was very intense.

Lastly, in religious or historical contexts, you might hear about el sexto mandamiento (the sixth commandment). Because these traditions are deeply rooted in the language, the ordinal form is almost always used rather than saying "mandamiento número seis." If you are visiting historical sites, you will see siglo VI everywhere, and the guide will consistently refer to it as the siglo sexto.

Even though sexto seems straightforward, there are several pitfalls that English speakers and even some native speakers fall into. The most frequent error involves gender agreement. Since English uses the invariant "sixth," learners often forget to change sexto to sexta when the noun is feminine. Saying *el sexto planta instead of la sexta planta is a very common beginner mistake.

Confusing with Cardinal Numbers: In English, we often use cardinal numbers for things like floors or bus lines (Bus 6). In Spanish, while you can say autobús seis, for floors and grades, using seis instead of sexto sounds very unnatural to native ears. Avoid saying *vivo en el piso seis in formal writing; sexto piso is preferred.
Spelling and Pronunciation: The letter 'x' can be tricky. Some learners misspell it as *sesto because that is how it often sounds in fast speech. However, in writing, the 'x' is mandatory. Additionally, don't confuse it with sesenta (sixty) or dieciséis (sixteen). The roots are similar, but the meanings are vastly different.
Ordinal vs. Fraction: When talking about parts, remember that un sexto is a fraction. However, for 1/2 and 1/3, Spanish uses medio and tercio, not segundo or tercero. Learners sometimes mistakenly apply the ordinal rule to all fractions. From cuarto onwards, the ordinal and fraction words often overlap, but sexto is safe to use for both.

Incorrecto: Vivo en la sexto calle.
Correcto: Vivo en la sexta calle.

Correction: Always match the gender of the noun 'calle' (feminine).

Another nuance is the use of sexto with dates. In English, we say "the sixth of June." In Spanish, for all days except the first of the month, cardinal numbers are used. You should say el seis de junio, NOT *el sexto de junio. Using sexto for a date is a major giveaway that the speaker is translating directly from English. The only exception is historical dates or specific formal proclamations, but for daily life, stick to seis.

Confusión: Sesenta es 60, pero sexto es 6º.

Translation: Sixty is 60, but sixth is 6th. Don't mix up the quantity with the position.

Finally, be careful with the abbreviation. In Spanish, the abbreviation for sexto is 6.º (with a small 'o' and a dot) and for sexta it is 6.ª (with a small 'a'). English speakers often forget the dot or use 'th' (6th), which is incorrect in Spanish. Proper punctuation is key in written documents like addresses or lists.

While sexto is the standard ordinal for "sixth," there are other ways to express similar concepts depending on the level of formality or the specific context. Understanding these alternatives will make your Spanish sound more natural and varied.

Número Seis (The Number Six): In informal speech, especially for numbers above ten, Spanish speakers favor cardinal numbers. Even for six, you might hear la habitación seis (room six) instead of la sexta habitación. It sounds slightly more direct and is common in hotels or hospitals.
Sextuplicar (To Sextuple): When talking about multiplication rather than order, use sextuplicar. If a company's profits grow sixfold, they sextuplicaron sus ganancias. This is a higher-level academic word.
Sextuplete (Sextuple/Six-trophy win): In the world of football (soccer), specifically when a team wins six major trophies in a single season, it is called a sextuplete. This is a very specific but common term in sports media.

El equipo busca el sextuplete tras ganar su quinta copa.

Translation: The team is looking for the sextuple after winning their fifth cup.

Comparing sexto with its neighbors, quinto (fifth) and séptimo (seventh), is helpful. Notice the change in the root: cinco becomes quinto, seis becomes sexto, and siete becomes séptimo. While sexto stays fairly close to seis, the addition of the 't' is a Latin influence shared with the English "sextant" or "sextuplet."

No es lo mismo decir "tengo seis libros" que "estoy leyendo el sexto libro".

Translation: It is not the same to say "I have six books" as "I am reading the sixth book."

In some poetic or archaic contexts, you might find sextuplicado, but for 99% of conversations, sexto and its feminine/plural variations are all you need. If you find yourself in a situation where you forget the word, you can always fall back on el número seis, and everyone will understand you perfectly, even if it sounds slightly less sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'sextant' in English comes from the same Latin root because the instrument's arc is exactly one-sixth of a circle (60 degrees). Also, the word 'siesta' comes from the Latin 'sexta hora' (the sixth hour), which was the traditional time for a midday nap.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈsek.stəʊ/

US /ˈsek.stoʊ/

The stress is on the first syllable: SEK-to.

Rhymes With

Texto Pretexto Contexto Cesto Puesto Gesto Resto Honesto

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'x' as 'sh' (seshto).
Dropping the 'k' sound entirely in formal speech (sesto is acceptable in fast speech but avoid it in exams).
Putting the stress on the last syllable (sek-TO).
Confusing the 'x' with a 'j' sound (sej-to).
Not making the 't' sound crisp and dental.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to the similarity to English 'six' and Latin roots.

Writing 2/5

Easy, but requires remembering the 'x' and the gender agreement.

Speaking 2/5

The 'x' can be slightly difficult for some, but the word is short and common.

Listening 2/5

Can sometimes be confused with 'sesenta' in fast, muffled speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Seis Primero Segundo Tercero Cuarto Quinto

Learn Next

Séptimo Octavo Noveno Décimo Sextuplicar

Advanced

Sextuplo Sextuplete Sextilla Sextante

Grammar to Know

Gender Agreement

El sexto libro (masculine), la sexta revista (feminine).

Number Agreement

Los sextos puestos, las sextas partes.

Ordinal Placement

Usually before the noun: 'el sexto día'. After for titles: 'Felipe VI'.

Roman Numerals

VI is written but pronounced as 'sexto' for kings and centuries.

Fractions

Un sexto (1/6) uses the same word as the ordinal.

Examples by Level

Vivo en el sexto piso.

I live on the sixth floor.

Masculine singular agreement with 'piso'.

Es mi sexta clase.

It is my sixth class.

Feminine singular agreement with 'clase'.

El sexto niño es mi hijo.

The sixth boy is my son.

Ordinal number used as an adjective before the noun.

Tengo el sexto libro.

I have the sixth book.

Direct object with an ordinal adjective.

Es la sexta vez.

It is the sixth time.

Feminine agreement with 'vez'.

Busco el sexto asiento.

I am looking for the sixth seat.

Definite article 'el' used with 'sexto'.

Ella llegó en sexto lugar.

She arrived in sixth place.

Prepositional phrase 'en sexto lugar'.

El sexto gato es negro.

The sixth cat is black.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Hoy es el sexto día de mi viaje.

Today is the sixth day of my trip.

Used in a chronological sequence.

Leí la sexta página del libro.

I read the sixth page of the book.

Feminine agreement with 'página'.

Compré mi sexta planta para el jardín.

I bought my sixth plant for the garden.

Possessive adjective 'mi' followed by ordinal.

Mi hermano está en sexto grado.

My brother is in sixth grade.

Common educational context.

Es el sexto mensaje que recibo.

It is the sixth message I have received.

Relative clause 'que recibo' modifying the noun.

La sexta canción es mi favorita.

The sixth song is my favorite.

Subject of the sentence.

Fuimos al sexto restaurante de la calle.

We went to the sixth restaurant on the street.

Contraction 'al' (a + el).

Él terminó su sexto dibujo.

He finished his sixth drawing.

Ordinal indicating completion of a series.

Necesitamos un sexto de kilo de azúcar.

We need a sixth of a kilo of sugar.

Used as a fractional noun.

Dicen que las mujeres tienen un sexto sentido.

They say women have a sixth sense.

Common idiomatic expression.

El sexto mandamiento prohíbe cometer actos impuros.

The sixth commandment prohibits committing impure acts.

Religious context.

Esta es la sexta vez que intentamos resolver el problema.

This is the sixth time we have tried to solve the problem.

Indicating repeated attempts.

El equipo subió al sexto puesto de la liga.

The team moved up to sixth place in the league.

Sports terminology for ranking.

El sexto capítulo trata sobre la Revolución Francesa.

The sixth chapter is about the French Revolution.

Ordinal used for book structure.

Ella es la sexta de siete hermanos.

She is the sixth of seven siblings.

Ordinal used to show birth order.

En el siglo sexto, la arquitectura cambió mucho.

In the sixth century, architecture changed a lot.

Historical time period.

El informe destaca los resultados del sexto trimestre.

The report highlights the results of the sixth quarter.

Professional business context.

Felipe VI es el actual Rey de España.

Felipe VI is the current King of Spain.

Pronounced as 'sexto' despite Roman numerals.

La sexta sinfonía de Beethoven es conocida como la Pastoral.

Beethoven's sixth symphony is known as the Pastoral.

Cultural/Musical reference.

Se ha detectado una sexta variante del virus.

A sixth variant of the virus has been detected.

Scientific/Medical context.

El sexto piso del edificio fue evacuado por precaución.

The sixth floor of the building was evacuated as a precaution.

Passive voice construction.

La sexta edición del festival fue un éxito rotundo.

The sixth edition of the festival was a resounding success.

Referring to recurring events.

El corredor perdió fuelle en el sexto kilómetro.

The runner lost steam in the sixth kilometer.

Specific measurement in a sequence.

Analizaremos el párrafo sexto del contrato legal.

We will analyze the sixth paragraph of the legal contract.

Formal document referencing.

La obra se divide en seis actos, siendo el sexto el más dramático.

The play is divided into six acts, the sixth being the most dramatic.

Gerund construction with an ordinal.

El autor utiliza el sexto sentido como metáfora de la verdad.

The author uses the sixth sense as a metaphor for truth.

Literary analysis context.

La sexta extinción masiva es un tema de debate científico.

The sixth mass extinction is a topic of scientific debate.

Scientific nomenclature.

En la sexta fila de la platea, el sonido es perfecto.

In the sixth row of the stalls, the sound is perfect.

Specific seating terminology.

El decreto fue publicado en la sexta sección del boletín oficial.

The decree was published in the sixth section of the official bulletin.

Administrative/Legal language.

La sexta cuerda de la guitarra suele afinarse en Mi.

The sixth string of the guitar is usually tuned to E.

Technical musical instruction.

Su sexta novela consolidó su carrera literaria a nivel mundial.

His sixth novel consolidated his literary career globally.

Career milestone description.

El sexto día de la creación, según el Génesis, Dios creó al hombre.

On the sixth day of creation, according to Genesis, God created man.

Theological/Historical reference.

La sutil ironía se despliega plenamente en el sexto libro de la epopeya.

The subtle irony unfolds fully in the sixth book of the epic.

High-level literary critique.

El sexto círculo del Infierno de Dante alberga a los heresiarcas.

The sixth circle of Dante's Inferno houses the heresiarchs.

Classical cultural reference.

La sexta acepción de la palabra en el diccionario es la más inusual.

The sixth meaning of the word in the dictionary is the most unusual.

Linguistic/Lexicographical detail.

El filósofo apela a un sexto principio para explicar la consciencia.

The philosopher appeals to a sixth principle to explain consciousness.

Abstract philosophical discourse.

La sexta coalición logró finalmente derrotar a las tropas napoleónicas.

The sixth coalition finally managed to defeat the Napoleonic troops.

Advanced historical terminology.

Se observa una anomalía en el sexto orbital del átomo bajo estudio.

An anomaly is observed in the sixth orbital of the atom under study.

Quantum physics context.

El sexto sentido del mercado financiero anticipó la crisis mucho antes.

The financial market's sixth sense anticipated the crisis much earlier.

Metaphorical use in high finance.

La sexta declinación es una rareza en los estudios de lenguas muertas.

The sixth declension is a rarity in the study of dead languages.

Philological/Linguistic expertise.

Common Collocations

Sexto piso

Sexto sentido

Sexto grado

Sexto lugar

Sexto mes

Sexta planta

Sexta edición

Sexta cuerda

Sexto mandamiento

Sexto aniversario

Common Phrases

En el sexto cielo

— While 'séptimo cielo' is more common, 'sexto cielo' is sometimes used to describe a state of great happiness, though less frequently.

Después de la noticia, estaba en el sexto cielo.

Sexto de primaria

— The standard way to refer to the 6th year of elementary school in Spain.

Los niños de sexto de primaria se van de viaje.

La sexta hora

— Refers to a specific time in historical or religious contexts (noon).

Se reunieron a la sexta hora del día.

Sexto sentido femenino

— A specific cultural trope referring to a woman's intuition.

Es el famoso sexto sentido femenino.

Sexto continente

— A metaphorical term sometimes used to describe Antarctica or even the internet.

Explorando el sexto continente: la Antártida.

Sexta marcha

— Refers to the highest gear in many modern cars.

Pon la sexta marcha en la autopista.

Sexto tramo

— The sixth section or stretch of a road or project.

Estamos trabajando en el sexto tramo de la carretera.

Sexto integrante

— The sixth member of a group or band.

Él es el sexto integrante del grupo.

Sexta avenida

— A common street name in many Spanish-speaking cities.

Gira a la derecha en la sexta avenida.

Sexto día

— Commonly used in religious contexts (creation) or schedules.

El sexto día descansaremos.

Often Confused With

sexto vs Sesenta

Sesenta means 60, while sexto means 6th. They sound similar but represent different concepts.

sexto vs Dieciséis

Dieciséis means 16. Learners sometimes mix up the 'six' roots.

sexto vs Siesta

While related etymologically (6th hour), 'siesta' is a nap, not a number.

Idioms & Expressions

"Tener un sexto sentido"

— To have a strong intuition or a 'gut feeling' about something.

Ella tiene un sexto sentido para los negocios.

Common/Informal

"A la sexta va la vencida"

— A variation of 'a la tercera va la vencida' (third time's the charm), used when someone has failed many times and hopes for success on the sixth attempt.

He suspendido cinco veces, ¡pero a la sexta va la vencida!

Informal

"No hay sexto malo"

— A phrase originating from bullfighting, implying that the sixth item (or the last in a series) is often the best.

Este es el último plato de la cena, y ya sabes: no hay sexto malo.

Cultural/Traditional

"Estar en el sexto piso"

— Slang used in some regions to mean someone is in their 60s (sixties).

Mi abuelo ya está en el sexto piso.

Colloquial

"Sexto sentido de madre"

— The specific intuition attributed to mothers regarding their children.

Mi madre supo que estaba enfermo por su sexto sentido.

Common

"El sexto hombre"

— In basketball, refers to the best player who starts on the bench.

Ganó el premio al mejor sexto hombre del año.

Sports

"Sexto dedo"

— Used to describe something extra and unnecessary, or literally polydactyly.

Ese accesorio es como un sexto dedo, no sirve para nada.

Informal

"Sexta potencia"

— Used metaphorically to describe something incredibly powerful (to the power of six).

Su enfado era de sexta potencia.

Literary

"Sexta enfermedad"

— A common name for roseola infantum in medical contexts.

El bebé tiene la sexta enfermedad, pero no es grave.

Medical

"Sexto elemento"

— Used to refer to something that completes a set of five, often jokingly.

El café es el sexto elemento de la naturaleza para mí.

Humorous

Easily Confused

sexto vs Seis

Cardinal vs Ordinal.

Seis is the quantity (6), while sexto is the position (6th). Use seis for counting and dates, and sexto for order and floors.

Tengo seis manzanas. Esta es la sexta manzana.

sexto vs Sexenio

Similar root.

A sexenio is a period of six years, commonly used in Mexican politics for a presidential term.

El sexenio presidencial termina este año.

sexto vs Sextuplo

Mathematical relation.

Sextuplo means six times as much (multiple), while sexto means the sixth in a line (ordinal).

El precio es el séxtuplo de lo que era antes.

sexto vs Sexta

Gender variation.

It is just the feminine form of sexto, but often confused by English speakers who use 'sixth' for everything.

La sexta silla está rota.

sexto vs Sexteto

Group vs Position.

Sexteto is a group of six people (noun), while sexto is a single item's position (adjective).

El sexteto tocó una melodía hermosa.

Sentence Patterns

Vivo en el [ordinal] piso.

Vivo en el sexto piso.

Es la [ordinal] vez.

Es la sexta vez.

Estoy en [ordinal] grado.

Estoy en sexto grado.

El [ordinal] día de [evento].

El sexto día de mi viaje.

Tener un [ordinal] sentido.

Ella tiene un sexto sentido.

Un [ordinal] de [sustantivo].

Un sexto de la tarta.

[Nombre] [Número Romano].

Felipe VI (sexto).

En el siglo [ordinal].

En el siglo sexto.

Word Family

Nouns

Sexto (the fraction)

Sexteto (group of six)

Sextuplete (set of six titles)

Sextilla (six-line stanza)

Verbs

Sextuplicar (to multiply by six)

Adjectives

Sexto/a (ordinal)

Séxtuplo/a (sixfold)

Seis

Sesenta

Seiscientos

Dieciséis

Sextuplicado

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life (floors, school) and media (rankings).

Common Mistakes

El sexto calle → La sexta calle
The word 'calle' is feminine, so the ordinal must match it.
El sexto de mayo → El seis de mayo
Spanish uses cardinal numbers for dates, except for the first of the month.
Vivo en el sext piso → Vivo en el sexto piso
Learners mistakenly shorten 'sexto' because they know 'primero' becomes 'primer'. 'Sexto' never shortens.
Tengo sesenta sentidos → Tengo un sexto sentido
Confusing 'sexto' (6th) with 'sesenta' (60).
La sexto vez → La sexta vez
Failure to apply gender agreement to the word 'vez' (time), which is feminine.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always look at the noun. If it's 'la calle', use 'sexta'. If it's 'el piso', use 'sexto'. This is the most important rule for ordinals.

Don't drop the 'o'

Remember that 'sexto' does NOT shorten like 'primero' (primer) or 'tercero' (tercer). It always keeps its ending.

Kings and Queens

When you see 'Felipe VI', remember to say 'Felipe Sexto'. Spanish uses ordinals for titles of monarchs up to ten.

Floors and Elevators

In an elevator, if you want the 6th floor, you can just say 'Al sexto, por favor'. The word 'piso' is implied.

Fractions

If you are sharing something with 5 friends (6 people total), each person gets 'un sexto'. It's a useful word for fairness!

The 'X' Sound

Try to make the 'ks' sound clear in formal settings. It shows a higher level of education and attention to detail.

Intuition

Use 'sexto sentido' when you have a hunch. It sounds very natural and sophisticated in Spanish conversation.

School Years

If you are talking about elementary school, 'sexto' is usually the last year. Use it to talk about graduation (graduación de sexto).

Dates

Never use 'sexto' for a date like 'June 6th'. Use 'seis'. This is a very common 'gringo' mistake to avoid.

Rankings

Use 'sexto' to describe a team's position. 'El equipo está sexto' is a perfectly normal way to talk about the league table.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'x' in 'sexto' and the 'x' in 'six'. They both represent the number 6. If you can remember 'six', you can remember 'sexto'. Just add the 'to' at the end to make it the 'ordinal' version.

Visual Association

Imagine a tall building with 6 floors. On the 6th floor, there is a giant letter 'X' painted on the window. This 'X' reminds you of 'seXto'.

Word Web

Seis Sexto Sexta Sexto Sentido Sexto Piso Sexto Grado Sextuplicar Sexteto

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that are in the 'sexto' position (the 6th book on a shelf, the 6th tile on the floor, the 6th contact in your phone) and say their names in Spanish using 'sexto' or 'sexta'.

Word Origin

The word 'sexto' comes from the Latin 'sextus', which is the ordinal form of 'sex' (six). The Latin root has remained remarkably stable throughout the evolution of the Romance languages. In Old Spanish, the 'x' was pronounced differently, but the spelling has largely stayed consistent with its classical origins.

Original meaning: Sixth; following the fifth.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Spanish.

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities associated with this word, as it is a neutral numerical term.

In English, 'sixth' is used for dates (June 6th), but in Spanish, this is a mistake. English speakers must learn to use 'seis de junio'.

The movie 'The Sixth Sense' (El sexto sentido) is a worldwide cultural touchstone. Felipe VI, the current King of Spain. Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 (Sexta Sinfonía).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Apartment Buildings

¿En qué piso vives?
En el sexto.
El ascensor no llega al sexto.
Sexta planta, puerta B.

School

Estoy en sexto grado.
Examen de sexto de primaria.
Libros de sexto.
Graduación de sexto.

Sports

Quedó sexto.
Sexto puesto en la clasificación.
Sexto hombre del equipo.
Sexta falta personal.

Music

Sexta sinfonía.
Sexta cuerda de la guitarra.
Sexteto de cuerdas.
Intervalo de sexta.

Cooking/Math

Un sexto de litro.
Corta un sexto de la tarta.
Dos sextos son un tercio.
La sexta parte del total.

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has vivido en un sexto piso o más arriba?"

"¿Crees que existe realmente el sexto sentido?"

"¿Qué recuerdas de cuando estabas en sexto de primaria?"

"¿Cuál es tu sexta canción favorita en tu lista de reproducción?"

"Si tuvieras que dividir un premio entre seis personas, ¿qué harías con tu sexto?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre una situación en la que usaste tu sexto sentido para tomar una decisión.

Describe cómo sería tu oficina ideal si estuviera en el sexto piso de un rascacielos.

Reflexiona sobre lo que aprendiste en tu sexto año de escuela.

Imagina que eres el sexto integrante de tu banda favorita. ¿Qué instrumento tocarías?

Escribe una lista de seis metas y describe la sexta meta con detalle.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In formal Spanish and clear speech, yes, it is pronounced like 'ks'. However, in many dialects and in casual, fast conversation, it is often simplified to an 's' sound, resulting in 'sesto'. Both are generally understood, but 'sexto' is the correct written form.

You should always use 'seis'. For example, 'el seis de enero'. Spanish only uses the ordinal 'primero' for the 1st of the month, and even that is optional in some regions. For all other days, use cardinal numbers.

No. Unlike 'primero' and 'tercero', which drop the 'o' before a masculine singular noun (e.g., 'el primer piso'), 'sexto' remains 'sexto' (e.g., 'el sexto piso').

For masculine nouns, write '6.º' and for feminine nouns, write '6.ª'. It is important to include the dot before the small superscript letter.

Yes, 'un sexto' means 'one sixth' (1/6). In this context, it functions as a noun.

Yes, 'el siglo sexto' (the 6th century) is correct, although it is also very common to say 'el siglo seis' in modern Spanish.

It is a very popular national television channel. If someone says 'Pon la Sexta', they want you to turn the TV to that specific station.

It is 'el sexto sentido'. It is used exactly like in English to describe intuition.

The feminine plural is 'sextas'. For example, 'las sextas partes del pastel'.

Yes, it is extremely common. It is a basic vocabulary word taught at the A1 level and used daily for addresses, school, and sports.