Cero vs. Zero: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 8, 2023
"Cero" is the Spanish word for the numeral "zero," which represents the absence of quantity in English.
Key Differences
"Cero" and "zero" essentially refer to the same numerical concept—the absence of any quantity or a point of origin on a scale. However, their key distinction lies in their linguistic origin. "Cero" is a term in the Spanish language, while "zero" is its English counterpart.
Although both "cero" and "zero" represent the same numeral, they are employed in different linguistic contexts. If you're having a conversation in Spanish, you would use "cero," like in counting or when referring to temperatures. On the other hand, in English contexts, "zero" is the appropriate term to denote the lack of quantity or the starting point in a sequence.
Furthermore, the pronunciation of "cero" and "zero" is inherently different due to their linguistic roots. "Cero" carries the softer Spanish "c" sound, akin to "th" in English, while "zero" has a pronounced "z" sound at the beginning.
In literature and popular culture, "zero" has taken on additional meanings, such as being a starting point, a ground level, or even metaphorically implying a lack of value or significance. "Cero," while maintaining its primary numerical significance in Spanish, doesn't quite carry the same range of metaphoric connotations as "zero" does in English.
Moreover, it's essential to consider the regional variations. In British English, the term "nought" is sometimes used interchangeably with "zero," especially in some contexts like sports scores. However, "cero" remains consistent in its representation across Spanish-speaking regions.
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Comparison Chart
Language
Spanish
English
Meaning
Represents the absence of quantity
Represents the absence of quantity
Pronunciation
Soft "c" sound
Pronounced "z" sound
Common Usage
In Spanish contexts
In English contexts
Metaphorical Connotations
Limited in Spanish
Numerous in English (e.g., starting point)
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Cero and Zero Definitions
Cero
Represents no quantity or absence in counting.
El resultado fue cero a cero. (The result was zero to zero.)
Zero
Represents nothing or lack of value.
He has zero patience for such antics.
Cero
Indicates lack or nothing in Spanish.
No tengo cero idea sobre eso. (I have zero ideas about that.)
Zero
Used to indicate the absence of something.
There's zero evidence to support that claim.
Cero
The Spanish term for the number after -1 and before 1.
Hay cero manzanas en la cesta. (There are zero apples in the basket.)
Zero
The numerical symbol 0; a cipher.
Cero
A point of origin in some scales in Spanish contexts.
La temperatura está a cero grados. (The temperature is at zero degrees.)
Zero
The identity element for addition.
Cero
An edible fish (Scomberomorus regalis) of western Atlantic waters, having silvery sides and a dark-blue back.
Zero
A cardinal number indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration.
Cero
A large scombroid food fish (Scomberomorus regalis) found chiefly in the West Indies.
Zero
An ordinal number indicating an initial point or origin.
Cero
A large and valuable fish of the Mackerel family, of the genus Scomberomorus. Two species are found in the West Indies and less commonly on the Atlantic coast of the United States, - the common cero (Scomberomorus caballa), called also kingfish, and spotted, or king, cero (Scomberomorus regalis).
Zero
An argument at which the value of a function vanishes.
Cero
Large edible mackerel of temperate United States coastal Atlantic waters
Zero
The temperature indicated by the numeral 0 on a thermometer.
Cero
Large mackerel with long pointed snout; important food and game fish of the eastern Atlantic coast southward to Brazil
Zero
A sight setting that enables a firearm to shoot on target.
Cero
A neutral point in mathematical contexts.
Cero es un número entero. (Zero is an integer.)
Zero
(Informal) One having no influence or importance; a nonentity
A manager who was a total zero.
Zero
The lowest point
His prospects were approaching zero.
Zero
(Informal) Nothing; nil
Today I accomplished zero.
Zero
Of, relating to, or being zero.
Zero
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value.
Zero
(Informal) Not any; no
"The town has ... practically no opportunities for amusement, zero culture" (Robert M. Adams).
Zero
Designating a ceiling not more than 16 meters (52 feet) high.
Zero
Limited in horizontal visibility to no more than 55 meters (180 feet).
Zero
(Linguistics) Of or relating to a morpheme that is expected by an established, regular paradigm but has no spoken or written form. Moose has a zero plural; that is, its plural is moose.
Zero
To adjust (an instrument or a device) to zero value.
Zero
The cardinal number occurring before one and that denotes no quantity or amount at all, represented in Arabic numerals as 0.
The conductor waited until the passenger count was zero.
A cheque for zero dollars and zero cents crashed the computers on division by zero.
Zero
The numeric symbol that represents the cardinal number zero.
In unary and k-adic notation in general, zero is the empty string.
Write 0.0 to indicate a floating point number rather than the integer zero.
The zero sign in American Sign Language is considered rude in some cultures.
Zero
The digit 0 in the decimal, binary, and all other base numbering systems.
One million has six zeroes.
Zero
Nothing, or none.
The shipment was lost, so they had zero in stock.
He knows zero about humour.
In the end, all of our hard work amounted to zero.
Zero
The value of a magnitude corresponding to the cardinal number zero.
The electromagnetic field does not drop all of the way to zero before a reversal.
Zero
The point on a scale at which numbering or measurement originates.
The temperature outside is ten degrees below zero.
Zero
(mathematics) A value of the independent variables of a function, for which the function is equal to zero.
The zeroes of a polynomial are its roots by the fundamental theorem of algebra.
The derivative of a continuous, differentiable function that twice crosses the axis must have a zero.
The nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function may all lie on the critical line.
Zero
The additive identity element of a monoid or greater algebraic structure, particularly a group or ring.
Since a commutative zero is the inverse of any additive identity, it must be unique when it exists.
The zero (of a ring or field) has the property that the product of the zero with any element yields the zero.
The quotient ring over a maximal ideal is a field with a single zero element.
Zero
(slang) A person of little or no importance.
They rudely treated him like a zero.
Zero
(military) A Mitsubishi A6M Zero, a long range fighter aircraft operated by the Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945.
Zero
A setting of calibrated instruments such as a firearm, corresponding to a zero value.
Zero
(finance) A security which has a zero coupon (paying no periodic interest).
The takeovers were financed by issuing zeroes.
Zero
(informal) No, not any.
She showed zero respect.
Zero
(meteorology) Of a cloud ceiling, limiting vision to 50 feet (15 meters) or less.
Zero
(meteorology) Of horizontal visibility, limited to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less.
Zero
(linguistics) Present at an abstract level, but not realized in the surface form.
The stem of "kobieta" with the zero ending is "kobiet".
Zero
(transitive) To set a measuring instrument to zero; to calibrate an instrument scale to valid zero.
Zero the fluorometer with the same solvent used in extraction.
George parked in space 34, zeroed the trip meter, closed and locked his car, then went back to the guard shack.
Zero
To change a memory location or range to values of zero; to set a variable in a computer program to zero.
Results were inconsistent because an array wasn’t zeroed during initialization.
Zero
(transitive) To cause or set some value or amount to be zero.
They tried to zero the budget by the end of the quarter.
The bill was over $400, but the server zeroed it out as a gesture of gratitude.
Zero
(transitive) To eliminate; to delete; to overwrite with zeros.
Zero
(intransitive) To disappear.
Zero
A cipher; nothing; naught.
Zero
The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences.
Zero
Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero.
Zero
A quantity of no importance;
It looked like nothing I had ever seen before
Reduced to nil all the work we had done
We racked up a pathetic goose egg
It was all for naught
I didn't hear zilch about it
Zero
A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
Zero
The quantity that registers a reading of zero on a scale
Zero
Adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value
Zero
Adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun);
He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards
Zero
Indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration;
A zero score
Zero
Indicating an initial point or origin
Zero
Of or relating to the null set (a set with no members)
Zero
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value;
The goal is zero population growth
Zero
The number denoting no quantity or absence in counting.
There are zero cookies left.
Zero
A starting point or origin in a sequence or scale.
Set the machine to zero before starting.
Zero
A neutral or mean value, especially in mathematics or physics.
The function reaches zero at this point.
FAQs
Can "zero" refer to ground level?
Yes, "zero" can denote ground level, especially in contexts like construction or altitude measurements.
Is "cero" Spanish for "zero"?
Yes, "cero" is the Spanish equivalent of the English "zero."
Are there metaphors or idioms involving "cero" in Spanish?
While "cero" is primarily numerical, idiomatic usages are more limited compared to "zero" in English.
Is the pronunciation of "cero" and "zero" the same?
No, "cero" has a softer "c" sound in Spanish, while "zero" starts with a "z" sound in English.
In which Spanish-speaking countries is "cero" used?
"Cero" is universally understood and used across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Are there other words for "zero" in English?
Yes, terms like "nought" or "nil" can sometimes be used interchangeably with "zero" in specific contexts.
Does "zero" have origins in other languages?
Yes, "zero" has origins in Italian and Arabic, and it has been incorporated into many languages.
Is "zero" always a noun in English?
While commonly a noun, "zero" can also be used as an adjective, as in "zero tolerance."
How is "cero" used in sports?
In scores, "cero" indicates no points, like in soccer results: "cero a cero" (zero to zero).
Is "cero" used in mathematics in Spanish-speaking regions?
Yes, "cero" is the term for the numeral "0" in mathematics in Spanish contexts.
Can "zero" be used metaphorically in English?
Yes, "zero" can indicate a starting point, lack of value, or even insignificance.
What does "cero absoluto" mean in science?
"Cero absoluto" is the term for "absolute zero," the lowest possible temperature in thermodynamics.
How do you say "below zero" in Spanish?
In Spanish, it's "bajo cero."
Can "zero" be used in expressions in English?
Yes, expressions like "zero in on" mean to focus or direct one's attention.
Can "zero" indicate neutrality?
Yes, in some contexts, "zero" can denote a neutral or middle point.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
