cuatro

Cuatro is the Spanish word for the number four. It derives from Latin quattuor and is used across Spanish-speaking cultures to denote the digit, ordinal forms, and various things named for the number. In linguistic and cultural contexts, it often functions as a basic counting term or as part of place names and traditional phrases.

In music, cuatro refers to a family of small, guitar-like stringed instruments found in several Caribbean and South American traditions. These instruments are typically plucked with the fingers and have four strings, though regional designs and tunings vary. The cuatro is most closely associated with Puerto Rican and Venezuelan folk and popular music, where it serves as a central rhythm- and melody-supporting instrument and often appears in ensembles with other guitars, percussion, and vocalists.

The Puerto Rican cuatro, developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, is a four-string instrument that plays a key role in genres such as danza, plena, and música jíbara. It is known for its bright, ringing tone and its ability to provide both melodic lines and harmonic accompaniment. The Venezuelan cuatro, commonly used in joropo and related styles, is typically a larger four-string instrument that contributes fast passages and counter-melodies to ensemble performances.

Beyond these, other regional variants exist in Latin America, sharing the four-string concept and a prominent place in traditional and modern folk music. The term “cuatro” thus spans both a numeral and a lineage of culturally significant instruments.