Doing arithmetic in Spanish (numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)

Take the fastest path to fluent Spanish

Look at these examples:

dos más dos igual a cuatrotwo plus two equals four

seis menos uno igual a cincosix minus one equals five

veinte dividido entre cinco igual a cuatrotwenty divided by five equals four

tres multiplicado por tres igual a nuevethree times three equals nine

Addition and subtraction in Spanish

We use más (plus) and menos (minus), and then igual a (equals).

However we also have other, simpler ways to express it:

using y (plus, and) and son (equals).

We sometimes omit the "equals" part and just use a comma.

Have a look and listen to these examples:

diez más dos igual a doceten plus two equals twelve

diez más dos son doceten plus two equals twelve

diez y dos, doceten plus two equals twelve

Multiplication in Spanish

We use por (times) or multiplicado por (multiplied by). We can also omit the equals part and use a comma or "son".

dos multiplicado por dos igual a cuatrotwo times two equals four

dos por dos son cuatrotwo times two equals four

dos por dos, cuatrotwo times two equals four

Division in Spanish

We use dividido entre (divided by) or the simpler version: "entre". We can also omit the equals part and use a comma or "son".

quince dividido entre tres igual a cincofifteen divided by three equals five

quince entre tres son cincofifteen divided by three equals five

quince entre tres, cincofifteen divided by three equals five

Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

Examples and resources

seis menos uno igual a cincosix minus one equals five
veinte dividido entre cinco igual a cuatrotwenty divided by five equals four
tres multiplicado por tres igual a nuevethree times three equals nine
diez y dos, doceten plus two equals twelve
dos por dos, cuatrotwo times two equals four
diez más dos son doceten plus two equals twelve
dos por dos son cuatrotwo times two equals four
dos multiplicado por dos igual a cuatrotwo times two equals four
dos multiplicado por dos igual a cuatrotwo times two equals four
quince dividido entre tres igual a cincofifteen divided by three equals five
quince entre tres son cincofifteen divided by three equals five
quince entre tres, cincofifteen divided by three equals five
diez más dos igual a doceten plus two equals twelve
dos más dos igual a cuatrotwo plus two equals four
Let me take a look at that...