Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "11" in Spanish
Once · number / adjective · OHN-seh
The number 11 in Spanish is "once." Be careful not to confuse it with the English word "once" (meaning one time)—in Spanish, "once" is strictly a number.
OHN-seh
El partido comienza a las once de la mañana.
The game starts at eleven in the morning.
11 in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for 11, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| once | 11 | OHN-seh | Default, widely understood |
| once | 11 | Universal |
How Native Speakers Use Once
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Telling time
Son las once y cuarto; deberíamos salir ya.
It's quarter past eleven; we should leave now.
Expressing the time of day using "once."
Counting players
Un equipo de fútbol tiene once jugadores en el campo.
A soccer team has eleven players on the field.
Counting the standard number of players in a football/soccer match.
Date reference
La reunión está programada para el once de noviembre.
The meeting is scheduled for November eleventh.
Using "once" as a cardinal number for a calendar date.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Once
Confusing with English "once" (one time)
Incorrect: Fui a España once. (intending "eleven")
Correct: Fui a España una vez.
In English, "once" means "one time," but in Spanish, "once" means the number 11. To say "one time" in Spanish, use "una vez." This false cognate trips up many beginners.
Mispronouncing as English "wunce"
Incorrect: wunce (English pronunciation)
Correct: OHN-seh (Spanish pronunciation)
Spanish "once" has two syllables: OHN-seh. Pronouncing it like the English word will cause confusion. Stress falls on the first syllable.
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Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Once used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using once in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El partido comienza a las once de la mañana. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About 11 in Spanish
- Is Spanish "once" a false cognate with English "once"?
- Yes, it is a classic false cognate. Spanish "once" means the number 11, while English "once" means "one time" or "formerly." To say "once" (one time) in Spanish, you would say "una vez."
- How is "once" used in telling time?
- You say "son las once" for 11:00. Add minutes with "y": "son las once y media" (11:30). For 11 a.m. versus 11 p.m., append "de la mañana" or "de la noche" respectively.
- Does "once" change form depending on the noun?
- No, "once" is invariable in Spanish. It does not agree in gender or number with the noun it modifies: once perros, once flores, once personas—all use the same form.