Category Archives: Spanish Grammar

Large numbers in Spanish – 200-1000

In our previous post, we discussed how to form large numbers in Spanish – between 100-200.

Today, we look at the next set of numbers – between 200-1000.

To count numbers which end in hundreds, the plural form of ciento is used.

The plural form of ciento = cientos. We use it along with the appropriate number.

Examples:
200 – doscientos (2 = dos, 100s = cientos)
300 - trescientos
400 - cuatrocientos
500 - quinientos not cincociento
600 - seiscientos
700 - setecientos not sieteciento
800 - ochocientos
900 - novecientos not nuevecientos

Did you notice that we do not add a ‘y’ in between. Also note that the forms for 500, 700, and 900 are slightly irregular.

Now let us look at some more examples:
201 -  doscientos uno (200 + 1)
302 -  trescientos dos  (300 + 2)
403 - cuatrocientos tres (400 + 3)
251 - doscientos cincuenta y uno (200 + 50 + y + 1)
561 - quinientos sesenta y uno (500 + 60 + y + 1)
999 - novecientos noventa y nueve (900 + 90 + y + 9)

The ‘y’ is added between the tens and units place for all numbers between 31-99.

Note that numbers such as 200, 300, 400 and so on, have masculine and feminine forms.

200 girls = doscientas niñas
200 boys = doscientos niños

To revise numbers between 1-99, go through our lesson on CultureAlley
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Por vs. Para in Spanish (Usage of por and para in Spanish)

Today, we will learn the differences between por and para. These two words are very often a source of confusion, as they can both be translated as for.

Here we’ll discuss some simple rules around the usage of por vs. para with examples

Uses of Para:

  1. To indicate who or what something is for
    Example: This money is for buying a car = Este dinero es para comprar un carro
  2. To indicate a time limit or deadline
    Example: The homework is for tomorrow = La tarea es para mañana
  3. To indicate the purpose or goal
    Example: I study Spanish to speak with my hispanic friends = Estudio español para hablar con mis amigos hispanos
  4. To talk about the use or function of any given object
    Example: These scissors are for cutting hair = Estas tijeras son para cortar el cabello
  5. To indicate destination
    Example: We are going to leave for the airport at two = Vamos a salir para el aeropuerto a las dos
  6. To express your opinion or point of view
    Example: It is too sweet for me = Es demasiado dulce para mí
  7. To mean ‘in order to’
    Example: The famous song: Para bailar la bamba, necesita una poca de gracia which means In order to dance La Bamba, one needs little grace

So that sums up the key scenarios for using ‘para’

Let’s have a look at the usage of Por

  1. To indicate that something happened within the boundaries of something, or through something
    Example: We walked through the beach = Caminamos por la playa
  2. To indicate the means or manner
    Example: I will send the pictures through email = Enviaré las fotografías por email
  3. Doing something for someone or on behalf of someone
    Example: I will go to the store for you = Iré a la tienda por tí
  4. Duration of an action
    Example: We went to the beach for three days = Fuimos a la playa por tres días
  5. To talk about exchanges
    Example: They bought a new house for 100,000 euros = Compraron una casa nueva por 100.000 euros

To learn more about the usage of por and para, and practice the same with interactive games visit http://culturealley.com/Spanish-Learn+Spanish-67%29+Learning+the+difference+between+por+and+para