Numbers in Danish
dansk
Numbers in Danish follow a primarily decimal system with notable vigesimal influences, especially in larger numbers. Spoken by about 5.6 million people mainly in Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and parts of Germany, Danish features unique compound formations and historical influences. Its counting system combines straightforward decimal patterns with a vigesimal element, especially in numbers like 50 (halvtreds) and 80 (firs). The language's structure reflects both ancient counting traditions and modern simplifications, making the numbers in Danish both fascinating and complex for learners. This comprehensive guide explores the rules, examples, and cultural aspects of Danish numbers.
Number system
Danish counting primarily uses a decimal (base-10) system, but incorporates vigesimal (base-20) elements in certain numbers. Numbers from 0 to 12 are unique words like en [1], to [2], tre [3], and so forth. Numbers 13 to 19 are formed by adding the unit digit to the word for ten: tretten [13], fjorten [14], femten [15], seksten [16], sytten [17], atten [18], nitten [19]. Tens are formed with specific words: ti [10], tyve [20], tredive [30], fyrre [40], halvtreds [50], tres [60], halvfjerds [70], firs [80], and halvfems [90]. For example, 29 is niogtyve, combining ni (9) and tyve (20). Numbers like 42 are fireogtredive, combining fire (4), og (and), and tredive (30). Hundreds are formed by placing the number before hundrede, e.g., to hundrede [200], and thousands by placing the digit before tusinde, e.g., tre tusinde [3000]. Larger numbers like million, milliard, and billion follow the long scale, multiplying by powers of a million.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Numbers 0-12
Numbers from zero to twelve are unique words: nul [0], en [1], to [2], tre [3], fire [4], fem [5], seks [6], syv [7], otte [8], ni [9], ti [10], elleve [11], tolv [12].
Numbers 13-19
Formed by adding the unit digit to the word for ten: tretten [13], fjorten [14], femten [15], seksten [16], sytten [17], atten [18], nitten [19].
Tens formation
Tens are formed with specific words: ti [10], tyve [20], tredive [30], fyrre [40], halvtreds [50], tres [60], halvfjerds [70], firs [80], halvfems [90]. Numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine combine the unit and ten with 'og' (and), e.g., niogtyve [29], fireogtredive [34], which means 9+20 and 4+30 respectively.
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier digit before 'hundrede' (hundred). For example, to hundred [100], seks hundrede [600], and ni hundrede [900]. The 'et' (one) before hundred is optional for 100, e.g., (et) hundred.
Thousands
Formed similarly to hundreds, with the digit before 'tusind' (thousand). For example, et tusind [1,000], fire tusinde [4,000], and ni tusinde [9,000].
Large numbers
Danish uses the long scale for large numbers. One million is en million, one milliard (109) is en milliard, billion (1012) is en billion, and beyond. Each new term is a million times larger than the previous, e.g., en milliard = 10^9, en billion = 10^12.
Unique features
The number 50 is called halvtreds, which is derived from 'half-third' (half of 3), reflecting a vigesimal influence. Similarly, 80 is firs, short for 'four score', showing an old vigesimal pattern.
Unlike many languages that are strictly decimal, Danish combines decimal and vigesimal systems, especially in numbers like 29 (niogtyve) and 78 (halvfjerds), which are formed by combining smaller units with 20s and 30s.
A surprising pattern is that 70 is halvfjerds, literally 'half of four', indicating a subtractive or vigesimal influence, similar to French 'quatre-vingts'.
For large numbers, Danish employs the long scale, where each new term (million, milliard, billion) is a million times larger than the previous, unlike the short scale used in English.
The word for 1,000, en tusind, is borrowed directly from Old Norse, showing historical linguistic influence and cultural continuity.
Cultural context
Danish is spoken mainly in Denmark, where it is the official language, and in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and parts of Germany. Danish culture emphasizes community, storytelling, and tradition, where numbers appear in daily life, trade, and festivities. For example, the number 17 (syvten) is often associated with luck, while certain numbers like 13 are considered unlucky. In historical contexts, large numbers like 'en milliard' are used in economic and scientific discussions. The language's unique counting system reflects a blend of ancient vigesimal influences and modern decimal simplicity, making it a fascinating aspect of Danish cultural identity.
Fun facts
The number 50 is called halvtreds, which literally means 'half-third', showcasing a unique vigesimal influence not found in most European languages.
Compared to English, Danish combines the unit and ten with 'og' (and), e.g., fireogtredive for 43, whereas English simply says 'forty-three'.
The formation of 78 as halvfjerds (half of four) is similar to the French 'quatre-vingts' (four twenties), illustrating historical vigesimal patterns.
Danish uses the long scale for large numbers, so 'en billion' equals 10^12, unlike the short scale in American English where a billion is 10^9.
The word for 1,000, en tusind, is borrowed from Old Norse, reflecting historical Viking influence on the language.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Danish?
1 - en, 2 - to, 3 - tre, 4 - fire, 5 - fem, 6 - seks, 7 - syv, 8 - otte, 9 - ni, 10 - ti.
What number base does Danish use?
Danish primarily uses a decimal (base-10) system, but incorporates vigesimal (base-20) influences in numbers like tyve [20], halvtreds [50], and firs [80], as seen in niogtyve [29] and halvfjerds [78].
How do you say 42 in Danish?
42 is fireogtredive, which combines fire (4), og (and), and tredive (30).
How do you say 100 in Danish?
100 is hundred, with optional 'et' before it, as in et hundred.
How many people speak Danish?
Approximately 5.6 million people speak Danish, mainly in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
Is Danish related to other languages?
Yes, Danish is part of the North Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family, closely related to Swedish and Norwegian.
What makes Danish counting unique?
Its blend of decimal and vigesimal systems, especially in numbers like halvtreds [50] and halvfjerds [78], makes Danish counting distinctive among European languages.
Sources
- Wikipedia