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"Cuarenta" is an adjective which is often translated as "forty", and "cuatro" is an adjective which is often translated as "four". Learn more about the difference between "cuarenta" and "cuatro" below.
cuarenta(
kwah
-
rehn
-
tah
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. forty (cardinal)
La montaña está a cuarenta millas de aquí.The mountain is forty miles from here.
b. fortieth (ordinal)
Celebraron su cuarenta aniversario de boda.They celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. forty
Diez por cuatro es igual a cuarenta.Ten times four is equal to forty.
a. forties
La última vez que un proyecto de infraestructura se completó en la ciudad fue en los años cuarenta.The last time a major infrastructure project was completed in the city was in the forties.
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cuatro(
kwah
-
troh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. four
La bebé tiene cuatro meses.The baby is four months old.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. four
El cuatro es mi número favorito.Four is my favorite number.
b. fourth (in dates)
Mi cumpleaños es el cuatro de marzo.My birthday is the fourth of March.
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(trap)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. setup
La policía le puso un cuatro a los criminales.The police organized a setup for the criminals.
4. (musical instrument)
Regionalism used in Colombia
(Colombia)
Regionalism used in Puerto Rico
(Puerto Rico)
Regionalism used in Venezuela
(Venezuela)
a. cuatro
Vimos a muchos hombres tocando el cuatro en las calles de Caracas.We saw many men playing the cuatro on the streets of Caracas.
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