Using y in numbers

Question

Is it correct to say either "treinta y tres" or "treinta tres"? I ask because in English the word "and" in a number stands for a decimal (100.1). I thought it would be less confusing to teach my kids to drop the y in Spanish.

"Fourscore and seven years a go ..." - samdie, Jan 11, 2010

Answer 1

In spanish numbers you add the y after treinta, cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta y noventa so you would be incorrect to say treinta tres it just isn't spanish.

Answer 2

I have still yet to meet one Mexican man or woman that says treinta y,setenta y or noventa y, what I have found is they meld the y to the number forming an " ay "sound resulting in treintay un, treintay dos etc--- just an observation.

Yes, you usually do hear this blended together as you said. But, the "y" is still there. Good observation. - Nicole-B, Jan 11, 2010

Answer 3

I don't think it matters. Some teachers prefer it without the "y" in between but most don't.

Your experience is different than mine I have had several teachers and they have all taught me to say those numbers after thirty with a y seperating the tens from the units. - kenwilliams, Jan 11, 2010

Some teachers prefer it without the "y" in between? Are they paid to teach so bad Spanish?! - mediterrunio, Jan 13, 2010

Answer 4

I must disagree with the assertion that 'and' is used for a decimal in English. 100.1 is not one hundred and one it is, rather, one hundred point one. Albert-fabri is spot on with the spanish.

Answer 5

I agree with Ken. You should add the "y" after treinta. Dropping it is one short cut and one bad habit you do not want your kids to start if they are going to learn Spanish properly.

However, following cien or one hundred, you do not add the "y" again until you reach ciento treinta y un.