Spanish Ordinal Numbers, Letter Abbreviations & Interrogatives

Vocabulary flashcards covering Spanish ordinal numbers (1st–10th), rules for ordinal adjectives, common letter-writing abbreviations, punctuation terms, and core Spanish interrogative words.

primero / primera

Spanish ordinal meaning “first.” Used before a noun and agrees with gender and number (el primer libro, la primera casa).

segundo / segunda

Spanish ordinal meaning “second.” Must match the gender and number of the noun it modifies (el segundo libro, las segundas casas).

tercero / tercera

Spanish ordinal meaning “third.” Before a masculine singular noun it shortens to “tercer” (el tercer libro).

cuarto / cuarta

Spanish ordinal meaning “fourth.” Follows standard adjective gender-number agreement (el cuarto árbol, las cuartas papeleras).

quinto / quinta

Spanish ordinal meaning “fifth.” Placed before the noun and agrees in gender and number (el quinto cartel, la quinta tableta).

sexto / sexta

Spanish ordinal meaning “sixth.” Shows regular adjective agreement (el sexto diccionario, las sextas carteras).

séptimo / séptima

Spanish ordinal meaning “seventh.” Requires accent mark on the first é (el séptimo lápiz, las séptimas mochilas).

octavo / octava

Spanish ordinal meaning “eighth.” Adjective that must agree with the noun (el octavo estuche, las octavas sillas).

noveno / novena

Spanish ordinal meaning “ninth.” Agrees with gender/number (el noveno radiocasete, las novenas tizas).

décimo / décima

Spanish ordinal meaning “tenth.” Used as an adjective before nouns (el décimo examen, las décimas puertas).

Ordinal adjectives (general rule)

Ordinal numbers used as adjectives go BEFORE the noun and must agree in gender (o/a) and number (s) with that noun.

Sr.

Abbreviation for “Señor,” equivalent to “Mr.” or “Sir.”

Sra.

Abbreviation for “Señora,” equivalent to “Mrs.” or “Madam.”

Srta.

Abbreviation for “Señorita,” equivalent to “Miss.”

C/

Abbreviation for “Calle,” meaning “street.”

Pza.

Abbreviation for “Plaza,” meaning “square.”

Izda.

Abbreviation for “Izquierda,” meaning “left.”

Dcha.

Abbreviation for “Derecha,” meaning “right.”

@

Symbol called “arroba” in Spanish; used in email addresses (“at”).

P.o

Abbreviation for “Paseo,” meaning “promenade” or “walkway.”

Avda.

Abbreviation for “Avenida,” meaning “avenue.”

N.o

Abbreviation for “Número,” meaning “number.”

Rte.

Abbreviation for “Remitente,” meaning “sender.”

punto (.)

Spanish word for the period / full stop punctuation mark.

coma (,)

Spanish word for the comma punctuation mark.

Qué

Interrogative pronoun meaning “what.” Used to ask about things or definitions (¿Qué es esto?).

Cuál / Cuáles

Interrogative pronoun meaning “which” or “what (among options).” (¿Cuál es tu nombre?).

Dónde

Interrogative adverb meaning “where.” (¿Dónde vives?).

Cómo

Interrogative adverb meaning “how.” Used for manner, spelling, or well-being (¿Cómo te llamas?, ¿Cómo estás?).

Cuánto / Cuánta / Cuántos / Cuántas

Interrogative pronouns meaning “how much / how many,” agreeing in gender and number (¿Cuántos años tienes?).