Numbers are the foundation of communication — from telling time to sharing your age or price. When learning Spanish, one of the first milestones is understanding how to count.
So if you’ve ever wondered, “how do you say 14 in Spanish?”, the answer is simple: it’s “catorce” (pronounced kah-TOR-seh).
But beyond just the word, learning numbers in another language connects you to new ways of thinking, patterns, and even cultural beliefs. Let’s explore how 14 — a small number with a big role — is said across different languages and cultures.
🔢 How to Say 14 in Spanish
| Number | Spanish Word | Pronunciation | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Catorce | kah-TOR-seh | “Tengo catorce años.” → “I am 14 years old.” |
Cultural Insight:
In Spanish-speaking countries, numbers are used daily in storytelling, sports, and tradition. “Catorce” might remind some of the famous soccer number 14 worn by legends like Johan Cruyff — a symbol of creativity and balance.
🗺️ Table: How to Say 14 in Different Languages
| Language | Word/Phrase for 14 | Linguistic Note or Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Catorce | Derived from Latin quattuordecim. |
| English | Fourteen | Combines “four” + “-teen,” meaning ten plus four. |
| French | Quatorze | Similar Latin roots; pronounced ka-TORZ. |
| Italian | Quattordici | Reflects Italian rhythm and clarity. |
| German | Vierzehn | Literally “four-ten,” consistent with Germanic logic. |
| Portuguese | Catorze | Nearly identical to Spanish; shows Latin influence. |
| Dutch | Veertien | Another “four-ten” structure. |
| Russian | Четырнадцать (Chetyrnadtsat) | Follows the Slavic numeric pattern. |
| Arabic | أربعة عشر (Arba‘a ashar) | “Four plus ten”; read right to left. |
| Hindi | चौदह (Chaudah) | From ancient Sanskrit roots. |
| Mandarin Chinese | 十四 (shísì) | Literally “ten-four.” |
| Japanese | 十四 (jū yon) | Reversible as “yon-jū” in some contexts. |
| Swahili | Kumi na nne | Means “ten and four.” |
| Turkish | Ondört | “On” (ten) + “dört” (four). |
| Korean | 십사 (sip-sa) | “Sip” = ten, “sa” = four. |
| Greek | Δεκατέσσερα (dekatésera) | “Ten-four”; used in both ancient and modern Greek. |
| Finnish | Neljätoista | A compound word meaning “fourteen.” |
| Hebrew | אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר (Arba’ah asar) | Ancient Semitic structure. |
| Zulu | Ishumi nane | “Ten and four.” |
| Maori | Tekau mā whā | Literally “ten and four.” |
🇪🇺 European Languages: Logic and Tradition in Numbers
In European languages, the number 14 often follows a simple “10 + 4” structure — reflecting the ancient counting systems of Latin and Proto-Indo-European roots.
- Spanish – Catorce: Derived from Latin quattuordecim.
- French – Quatorze: Almost identical, but pronounced with a soft “r.”
- German – Vierzehn: A literal translation of “four-ten.”
- Italian – Quattordici: Musically rhythmic, typical of Italian phonetics.
- Portuguese – Catorze: Retains strong similarity to Spanish, especially in Portugal and Brazil.
European counting patterns show linguistic harmony — a legacy of Rome’s influence on language structure.
🌏 Asian Languages: Mathematical and Symbolic
In Asia, numbers carry not just numerical meaning but also symbolism.
- Chinese – 十四 (shísì): Simple structure “ten-four,” but culturally sensitive — “14” sounds like “want to die” (yāo sì) in some dialects, so it’s avoided in addresses and phone numbers.
- Japanese – 十四 (jū yon): Same issue — some Japanese hotels skip Room 14!
- Hindi – चौदह (Chaudah): Common in Indian counting, also used symbolically in stories and religious contexts.
- Arabic – أربعة عشر (Arba‘a ashar): Follows “four plus ten,” used widely from Morocco to Iraq.
- Korean – 십사 (sip-sa): A logical and simple combination of base ten.
Asian counting systems are deeply logical but also emotionally nuanced — numbers often reflect luck, harmony, or superstition.
🌍 African Languages: Simplicity and Community
African counting structures often build on practical simplicity and rhythm.
- Swahili – Kumi na nne: “Ten and four”; widely used in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- Zulu – Ishumi nane: In Zulu, greetings and numbers are both part of social connection.
- Amharic – Asra Arat: Meaning “ten four,” reflecting the structure of Semitic languages.
- Yoruba – Mẹ́rinlá: Derived from “mẹrin” (four) and “lá” (ten).
- Hausa – Goma sha hudu: “Ten and four,” typical of Hausa’s consistent number pattern.
Across Africa, language reflects both clarity and community — counting isn’t just arithmetic; it’s storytelling.
🌺 Indigenous & Island Languages: The Voice of Heritage
- Hawaiian – ʻUmikūmāhā: Literally “ten and four.”
- Maori – Tekau mā whā: A base-ten system with poetic flow.
- Samoan – Sefulu ma le fa: “Ten and four.”
- Cherokee – Talinehvsgi: Native counting influenced by syllabary patterns.
- Fijian – Tini ka va: A base-ten formation used in island trade.
Indigenous languages often show how early cultures viewed counting — not just as numbers, but as part of oral tradition, trade, and spiritual life.
📚 Cultural Insights: The Meaning of “14” Around the World
The number 14 often symbolizes transition, balance, or growth:
- In numerology, it’s linked with adaptability and independence.
- In Chinese culture, it’s unlucky due to sound associations.
- In Western contexts, it marks teenage years — “turning 14” means entering a new life stage.
- In Islam, the 14 Infallibles hold deep spiritual meaning.
So, even though “14” is just a number, its interpretation reveals the diversity of global thought.
🌸 Common Proverbs or Sayings About Numbers
- Spanish: “No hay dos sin tres.” — “There’s no two without three.” (Numbers express wisdom.)
- Chinese: “Good things come in pairs.” — Reflecting balance and harmony.
- English: “Third time’s the charm.” — Persistence through counting.
- Arabic: “Counting is the key to understanding.” — A proverb about patience and precision.
❓ FAQs
Q1: How do you say 14 in Spanish?
You say “catorce”, pronounced kah-TOR-seh.
Q2: Is 14 used differently in Spain and Latin America?
No, “catorce” is universal across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Q3: What is the origin of “catorce”?
It comes from the Latin quattuordecim, meaning “four and ten.”
Q4: How do you count 11–20 in Spanish?
Once (11), doce (12), trece (13), catorce (14), quince (15), dieciséis (16), and so on.
Q5: Why learn numbers in another language?
Numbers are essential for travel, shopping, telling time, and understanding native expressions.
❤️ Conclusion: Numbers Unite Us More Than Words
Now you know exactly how to say 14 in Spanish — “catorce.”
But beyond the word, learning how numbers work across languages connects us to global logic, culture, and humanity.
Every number tells a story — from catorce in Spanish to shísì in Chinese — showing how math and language share the same heartbeat of understanding.
💬 Now it’s your turn:
How do you say “14” in your language? Comment below and share your country’s word for this universal number!
