How to say a year

Question

I've searched the "answers" but I have not found the answer I'm looking for.....

What is the typical way that someone says a certain year in Spanish, i.e., the year you were born? For example, in English (in the US) we say say "nineteen fifty-six".

I tried the translator program, but when I typed this phrase the translator came back with numbers "1956".

It's hard for me to believe that in Spanish they have to say the entire number, i.e., "mil novecientos cincuentos y seis" when they need to say a certain date.

• If you do it the English way, you'll just be met with baffled looks. - Encalada Apr 5, 2011
• Well from 2000 to 2009 we said "Two Thousand and "X" now we say "Twenty eleven" - ian-hill Apr 5, 2011
• I've been saying two thousand and eleven. Twenty eleven sounds like an innumerate convenience store. - Encalada Apr 5, 2011
• Well that is what I am hearing. - ian-hill Apr 5, 2011
• It certainly makes more sense saying that way for 2111. Maybe I should join the herd... - Encalada Apr 6, 2011
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Answer 1

They do, however, say los cincuentas meaning the decade of the 50's just as we use it in English.

[it is mil novecientos cincuenta y seis.]

• treinta y...
• cuarenta y.....
• cincuenta y....
• sesenta y....
• setenta y.....
• ochenta y....
• noventa y.....

all feminine

• Thanks for the correction. I was going by the translator. ;-) - Gillygaloo Apr 6, 2011

Answer 2

You have to say the whole number. Splitting it into smaller numbers like nineteen fifty-six is usually only done for telephone numbers or street numbers.

Answer 3

It is also ok to say I was born in 56.

naci en el cincuenta y seis.

or even naci en el mil nueve cincuenta y seis. (shortening the novecientos to nueve)

What does "it is hard for you to believe that in Spanish we say the entire number" really mean?

you seem to be judging the language ...

• Good point. I think even in English, it was the norm until the last century to say the whole number the way the Spanish do. - Encalada Apr 6, 2011

Answer 4

I asked my friend who is from yucatan and he says it is año mil novecientos cincuenta y seis.... I agree, that seem long as well.

Answer 5

Don't be amazed...it's because people that speak spanish have their language regulated by the Royal Academy and unlike english they try not to indulge in the laziness of others just because it sounds long...