How do you say sixteen in Spanish?

Sixteen is dieciséis (dee-eh-see-SEYS) in Spanish, written as a single compound word with an accent mark on the final e.

Why is sixteen one word in Spanish?

Spanish compounds the numbers from sixteen to nineteen into single words by combining dieci- (from diez, meaning ten) with the units digit, following a pattern that simplifies counting.

How do you write 16 in words in Spanish?

The number 16 is written as dieciséis, always lowercase unless it begins a sentence, and always with the accent mark over the second e.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Sixteen in Spanish: Dieciséis

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Dieciséis · number · dee-eh-see-SEYS

Sixteen in Spanish is dieciséis, a single compound word formed from diez (ten) and seis (six). Unlike English, Spanish numbers from sixteen to nineteen are written as one word with a connecting i.

Dieciséis is pronounced dee-eh-see-SEYS, with the accent falling on the last syllable. The written accent on the final e is mandatory.

Mi sobrino cumple dieciséis años la próxima semana.

My nephew turns sixteen next week.

How Native Speakers Use Dieciséis

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Age reference

A los dieciséis años viajé al extranjero por primera vez.

At sixteen I traveled abroad for the first time.

Describing a coming-of-age experience.

Counting items

Necesitamos dieciséis sillas para la reunión.

We need sixteen chairs for the meeting.

Specifying a quantity of items needed.

Address number

Vivo en la calle Principal, número dieciséis.

I live on Main Street, number sixteen.

Sharing a home address with someone.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Dieciséis

Writing as two words

Incorrect: Tengo diez y seis libros.

Correct: Tengo dieciséis libros.

Numbers from sixteen to nineteen in Spanish are single compound words; the archaic form diez y seis is no longer standard.

Forgetting the accent mark

Incorrect: Son dieciseis personas.

Correct: Son dieciséis personas.

The written accent on the second e is required to mark the correct stress and follows official spelling rules.

Lock in Sixteen Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

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 Dieciséis used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using dieciséis in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi sobrino cumple dieciséis años la próxima semana. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Sixteen in Spanish

How do you say sixteen in Spanish?: Sixteen is dieciséis (dee-eh-see-SEYS) in Spanish, written as a single compound word with an accent mark on the final e.
Why is sixteen one word in Spanish?: Spanish compounds the numbers from sixteen to nineteen into single words by combining dieci- (from diez, meaning ten) with the units digit, following a pattern that simplifies counting.
How do you write 16 in words in Spanish?: The number 16 is written as dieciséis, always lowercase unless it begins a sentence, and always with the accent mark over the second e.