Lesson 4 — Give Your Phone Number Clearly in Spanish
Giving your phone number may seem simple, but one incorrect digit can cause a missed call, a problem with an appointment or confusion at work. In this lesson, you will learn the numbers from 0 to 20 and the essential phrases to give, repeat and correct a phone number clearly in Spanish.
Numbers from 0 to 20
Listen and repeat each number three times. First say it slowly. Then say it again at a natural speed.
0 — cero 🔊
1 — uno 🔊
2 — dos 🔊
3 — tres 🔊
4 — cuatro 🔊
5 — cinco 🔊
6 — seis 🔊
7 — siete 🔊
8 — ocho 🔊
9 — nueve 🔊
10 — diez 🔊
11 — once 🔊
12 — doce 🔊
13 — trece 🔊
14 — catorce 🔊
15 — quince 🔊
16 — dieciséis 🔊
17 — diecisiete 🔊
18 — dieciocho 🔊
19 — diecinueve 🔊
20 — veinte 🔊
You will use these numbers for telephone numbers, addresses, appointment times, dates and many everyday situations.
Do not try to say a full telephone number too quickly. In Spain, it is common to give the digits clearly in small groups.
Essential Phrases
1. My number is…
Mi número es… 🔊
Meaning: My number is…
Use this phrase before giving your telephone number.
Example:
Mi número es 612 345 678.
Say the number clearly and pause slightly between groups.
2. What is your number?
¿Cuál es tu número? 🔊
Meaning: What is your number?
Use this question when speaking informally to a friend, colleague or someone you already know.
Example:
—¿Cuál es tu número?
—Mi número es 612 345 678.
In a more formal situation, you may hear:
¿Cuál es su número?
For this lesson, practise the informal version from the index:
¿Cuál es tu número?
3. Repeat it digit by digit
Repítalo número por número. 🔊
Meaning: Repeat it digit by digit.
Use this phrase when the other person says the telephone number too quickly or when you want to check every digit carefully.
Example:
—Mi número es 612 345 678.
—Perdón. Repítalo número por número.
This is useful at a health centre, an office, a job interview or during a telephone call.
4. That number is not correct
Ese número no es correcto. 🔊
Meaning: That number is not correct.
Use this phrase when someone repeats your number incorrectly.
Example:
—¿Es 612 345 679?
—No. Ese número no es correcto.
You can then repeat the correct number.
5. One digit is missing
Falta un número. 🔊
Meaning: One digit is missing.
Use this phrase when the other person writes or repeats fewer digits than expected.
Example:
—Tengo 612 345 67.
—Falta un número.
This phrase can also be useful when completing a form.
Say a Phone Number Clearly
A Spanish mobile number normally has nine digits.
You can say it in groups of three:
612 345 678
Or in smaller groups if the listener needs more time:
6 — 1 — 2 / 3 — 4 — 5 / 6 — 7 — 8
The most important thing is clarity.
Do not rush.
Pause between groups and listen carefully when the other person repeats the number.
Example
—¿Cuál es tu número?
—Mi número es 612 345 678.
—¿612 345 679?
—No. Ese número no es correcto. Es 612 345 678.
Quick Practice
Choose or complete the correct answer.
1. Which number is seis?
a. 5
b. 6
c. 7
2. Which number is doce?
a. 10
b. 11
c. 12
3. Complete the phrase
Mi __________ es 612 345 678.
a. número
b. teléfono es
c. nombre
4. Someone says your number too quickly. What can you say?
a. Falta un número.
b. Repítalo número por número.
c. ¿Cuál es tu nombre?
5. Someone repeats your number incorrectly. What do you say?
a. Ese número no es correcto.
b. Vivo en Madrid.
c. Mucho gusto.
6. Complete the question
¿Cuál es tu __________?
a. número
b. nombre es
c. vive
7. Which number is quince?
a. 13
b. 14
c. 15
8. Which number is diecisiete?
a. 16
b. 17
c. 18
9. A person writes only eight digits. What can you say?
a. Falta un número.
b. Me llamo Ana.
c. Está correcto.
10. Write this number in words
6 — 7 — 10 — 12 — 15
(H5P — Quiz aquí)
Recommended activity: Question Set
Include the ten questions above using:
- multiple choice;
- fill-in-the-blank;
- number recognition;
- one short written response.
The activity should:
- allow the learner to retry;
- show the correct answer;
- use only the numbers and phrases taught in this lesson.
Listen to a Short Dialogue
First, listen without reading.
Try to identify:
- the telephone number;
- the incorrect digit;
- the phrase used to correct the mistake.
Then listen again while reading.
Dialogue
—¿Cuál es tu número?
—Mi número es 612 345 678.
—¿612 345 679?
—No. Ese número no es correcto.
—Perdón. Repítalo número por número.
—Seis, uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho.
—Gracias.
Check Your Understanding
- What is the correct phone number?
- Which digit was repeated incorrectly?
- Which phrase asks the speaker to repeat each digit?
Answers
- 612 345 678.
- The final digit was incorrect. The person said nueve instead of ocho.
- Repítalo número por número.
Listen again and repeat the dialogue. Concentrate on the numbers, not on speaking quickly.
Real-Life Situation
Imagine that you are at a health centre in Madrid.
The receptionist asks for your telephone number.
You give the number, but the receptionist repeats it incorrectly.
You need to:
- give your number;
- listen to the repeated number;
- say that it is incorrect;
- repeat it digit by digit.
Try to answer aloud before reading the model.
Your response:
One Possible Response
—¿Cuál es su número?
—Mi número es 612 345 678.
—¿612 345 679?
—No. Ese número no es correcto. Repítalo número por número, por favor.
—Seis, uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho.
Your real telephone number will be different. Practise with your own number when you are ready.
Short Writing Activity
Write a short exchange between you and a receptionist.
Include:
- Mi número es…
- an incorrect version of the number;
- Ese número no es correcto.
- the number written again correctly.
Example structure
—Mi número es ____________________.
—¿Es ____________________?
—No. Ese número no es correcto.
—Es ____________________.
Now write your own version:
Read the exchange aloud when you finish.
Final Challenge
Answer without looking back at the main section.
Situation 1
Say the numbers from 0 to 10.
Situation 2
Say the numbers from 11 to 20.
Situation 3
Ask a friend for their phone number.
Situation 4
Give your phone number.
Situation 5
Ask someone to repeat it digit by digit.
Situation 6
Correct an incorrect number.
Possible Answers
- cero, uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez
- once, doce, trece, catorce, quince, dieciséis, diecisiete, dieciocho, diecinueve, veinte
- ¿Cuál es tu número?
- Mi número es…
- Repítalo número por número.
- Ese número no es correcto.
Now try to say your own telephone number clearly in Spanish.
Say it once in groups.
Then say it again digit by digit.
Pronunciation: seis, siete, diez, doce and quince
These five numbers can be difficult for beginners because some sounds are similar.
Seis
seis
The word has one clear syllable.
Do not separate it into two parts.
Say:
seis
Not:
se-is
Siete
siete
Say the two parts clearly:
sie-te
The first part sounds different from seis.
Compare:
seis
siete
Diez
diez
Keep the final sound short and clear.
In most of Spain, the final z is pronounced like the th in “think”. In many other Spanish-speaking countries, it sounds like s.
Both are understood.
Doce
doce
Say:
do-ce
In most of Spain, the c before e sounds like the th in “think”.
In much of Latin America, it sounds like s.
Quince
quince
The letters qu sound like a hard k.
The u is not pronounced.
Say:
quin-ce
Do not pronounce it like the English word “queen”.
Contrast Practice
Repeat slowly:
seis — siete
diez — doce
doce — quince
Now repeat these number groups:
seis, siete, diez
doce, quince, dieciséis
siete, doce, quince
Finally, practise this telephone number:
615 720 126
Say it digit by digit:
seis, uno, cinco, siete, dos, cero, uno, dos, seis
The goal is not speed. The goal is for every digit to be understood.
Basic Grammar — Applied to This Lesson
1. Mi, tu and su
Use mi to talk about something that belongs to you.
Mi número es…
Use tu when speaking informally about another person’s number.
¿Cuál es tu número?
Use su in a formal question.
¿Cuál es su número?
In English, all three phrases use a possessive word:
- my number;
- your number;
- your number, formal.
For this lesson, remember:
mi número → my number
tu número → your number, informal
su número → your number, formal
2. Es and no es
Use es to identify or confirm information.
Mi número es 612 345 678.
Use no es to say that information is incorrect.
Ese número no es correcto.
In Spanish, no normally goes directly before the verb:
no es
Not:
es no
Compare:
Ese número es correcto.
Ese número no es correcto.
3. Repítalo: a polite instruction
Repítalo means “Repeat it” in a formal or polite way.
In this lesson:
Repítalo número por número.
You can use it with someone you do not know, a receptionist, an employee or another person in a formal situation.
The ending makes the instruction polite and suitable for usted.
You do not need to study the complete grammar of commands yet. Learn the full expression as one practical phrase:
Repítalo número por número.
It is useful whenever a telephone number, address or important detail is not clear.