Numbers in Armenian
հայերեն
Numbers in Armenian follow a primarily decimal system with unique features in forming numbers. Spoken by about 6.7 million people in Armenia and the diaspora, Armenian is part of the Indo-European family. Its counting system combines specific words for 0-10, unique patterns for teens, and compound formations for larger numbers. The language's structure reflects historical influences and cultural nuances, making its numbers in Armenian both logical and distinctive. Understanding these rules reveals the rich linguistic tradition behind everyday counting, from simple numbers like մեկ (mek) for 1 to complex figures like հինգ հազար վեց հարյուր երեսուն (hing hazar vec’ haryowr eresown) for 5,630.
Number system
Armenian counting is primarily decimal, with numbers from 0 to 10 having unique words: զրո (zro) for zero, մեկ (mek) for 1, երկու (erkow) for 2, etc., up to տաս (tas) for 10. Numbers 11-19 are formed by prefixing տասն (tasn) to the digit without space: տասնմեկ (tasnmek) [11], տասներկու (tasnerkow) [12], and so on. Tens are named with roots followed by -սուն (-sown): 30՝ երեսուն (eresown), 40՝ քառասուն (k’aṙasown), 50՝ հիսուն (hisown), etc. Compound numbers like 35 are formed by combining the ten and unit with a space: երեսուն հինգ (eresown hing) [35], and 78 as յոթանասուն ութ (yot’anasown owt’). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before հարյուր (haryowr): երկու հարյուր (erkow haryowr) [200], three hundred as երեք հարյուր (erek’ haryowr). Thousands are built similarly: հինգ հազար (hing hazar) [5,000], and larger numbers combine these elements. For example, 5,630 is հինգ հազար վեց հարյուր երեսուն (hing hazar vec’ haryowr eresown). Large numbers like one million (միլիոն) and beyond follow the short scale, with each step being 1,000 times larger.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting from 0 to 10
Numbers 0-10 have specific words: զրո (zro) [0], մեկ (mek) [1], երկու (erkow) [2], երեք (erek’) [3], չորս (čors) [4], հինգ (hing) [5], վեց (vec’) [6], յոթ (yot’) [7], ութ (owt’) [8], ինը (inë) [9], տաս (tas) [10].
Forming numbers 11-19
Numbers from eleven to nineteen are formed by prefixing տասն (tasn) to the digit with no space: տասնմեկ (tasnmek) [11], տասներկու (tasnerkow) [12], տասներեք (tasnerek’) [13], etc. For example, 13 is տասներեք (tasnerek’).
Naming tens
Tens are based on roots followed by -սուն (-sown), except for 10 and 20: տաս (tas) [10], քսան (k’san) [20], երեսուն (eresown) [30], քառասուն (k’aṙasown) [40], հիսուն (hisown) [50], etc. For example, 60 is վաթսուն (vat’sown).
Constructing compound numbers
Numbers like 35 are formed by combining the ten and unit with a space: երեսուն հինգ (eresown hing) [35], and 78 as յոթանասուն ութ (yot’anasown owt’). For example, 42 is քսան երկու (k’san erkow), built from the tens and units.
Forming hundreds and thousands
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before հարյուր (haryowr): երկու հարյուր (erkow haryowr) [200], three hundred as երեք հարյուր (erek’ haryowr). Thousands are built similarly: հինգ հազար (hing hazar) [5,000]. Larger numbers combine these, e.g., 5,630 is հինգ հազար վեց հարյուր երեսուն (hing hazar vec’ haryowr eresown).
Large numbers and scale
One million is միլիոն (milion), one billion is միլիարդ (miliard), and one trillion is տրիլիոն (trilion). Each step is 1,000 times larger, following the short scale system.
Unique features
The number 16 is տասնվեց (tasnvec’), combining տասն (tasn) and վեց (vec’), showing a pattern of combining the root for ten with the unit.
Unlike many languages, Armenian forms 20 as քսան (k’san) which is not derived from a simple pattern but a unique root, and then builds other tens from it.
The formation of numbers like 17 (տասնյոթ, tasnyot’) involves a compound with յոթ (yot’), which is somewhat counter-intuitive compared to other Indo-European languages.
Large numbers like 1,000,000 (միլիոն, milion) follow the short scale, with each new term being 1,000 times bigger than the previous.
The word for 100, հարյուր (haryowr), is borrowed from an ancient root, reflecting cultural exchanges and historical influences.
Cultural context
Armenian people primarily live in Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, with a significant diaspora worldwide. Numbers in Armenian are integral to daily life, trade, and cultural traditions. For instance, special numbers like 7 (յոթ) are considered lucky, while 13 is often avoided. Traditional celebrations, religious events, and historical commemorations frequently involve specific numbers. The language's unique number words reflect a rich history influenced by neighboring cultures and ancient civilizations. Large numbers are used in historical texts and modern economics, emphasizing Armenia's long-standing trading and cultural exchanges. The use of Armenian numerals in religious manuscripts underscores their cultural importance.
Fun facts
The number 16 (տասնվեց, tasnvec’) combines the root for ten with վեց (vec’), illustrating a pattern of combining roots for compound numbers.
Compared to English, Armenian forms 20 as քսան (k’san), which is a unique root, not derived from a pattern like 'twenty' in English or 'vingt' in French.
The formation of 19 as տասնինը (tasninë) involves a suffix that indicates 'nine,' showing a different morphological approach than in many other languages.
Historically, the word for 100, հարյուր (haryowr), is believed to have ancient roots, possibly linked to old Indo-European words for 'hundred.'
Large numbers like one trillion (տրիլիոն, trilion) follow the short scale, which is common in Western countries but differs from the long scale used in some other languages.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Armenian?
1՝ մեկ (mek), 2՝ երկու (erkow), 3՝ երեք (erek’), 4՝ չորս (čors), 5՝ հինգ (hing), 6՝ վեց (vec’), 7՝ յոթ (yot’), 8՝ ութ (owt’), 9՝ ինը (inë), 10՝ տաս (tas).
What number base does Armenian use?
Armenian uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the words for 10 (տաս), 20 (քսան), and the formation of numbers like 35 (երեսուն հինգ) and 78 (յոթանասուն ութ).
How do you say 42 in Armenian?
42 is քսան երկու (k’san erkow), formed by combining the tens (քսան) and the units (երկու) with a space, following the pattern for compound numbers.
How do you say 100 in Armenian?
100 is հարյուր (haryowr). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before հարյուր, e.g., երեք հարյուր (erek’ haryowr) for 300.
How many people speak Armenian?
Approximately 6.7 million speakers, including the diaspora, primarily in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Is Armenian related to other languages?
Yes, Armenian belongs to the Indo-European family, making it related to languages like Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit, but it forms its own unique branch.
What makes Armenian counting unique?
The formation of numbers like 16 (տասնվեց) and 17 (տասնյոթ) involves combining roots with suffixes or other roots in ways that differ from many Indo-European languages, reflecting its distinctive linguistic evolution.
Sources
- Eastern Armenian transliteration