Numbers in Georgian
ქართული
Numbers in Georgian follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, making it unique among many world languages. Spoken by about 3.7 million people primarily in Georgia, it belongs to the Kartvelian language family. The counting system combines traditional patterns with specific formations for tens, hundreds, and large numbers. Georgian numbers in daily life, trade, and cultural practices reflect its rich linguistic heritage. The language's structure influences how numbers are constructed, especially from 11 to 19 and the multiples of twenty. This detailed overview of numbers in Georgian reveals the intricate and fascinating way this language handles numerical expressions, blending historical roots with modern usage.
Number system
Georgian uses a vigesimal system where the tens are based on multiples of 20. For example, 20 is ოცი (otsi), and 30 is ოცდაათი (otsdaati), which is 20 + 10. Numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by prefixing the unit with თ (t), such as თერთმეტი (tertmet’i) for 11, which combines the prefix თ (t) with მეტი (met’i, from the word for ten). Compound numbers like 42 are built by combining 40 (ორმოცი, ormotsi) with 2 (ორი, ori), resulting in ორმოცდაერთი (ormotsdaerti). Similarly, 78 is სამოცდარვა (samotsdarva), which is 3*20 + 18. Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit with the word for hundred, e.g., ორასი (orasi) for 200, and thousands by prefixing the digit with ათასი (atasi). Large numbers like one million are מילიონი (milioni). The system emphasizes the importance of the number 20 as a core building block, with compound formations for numbers above 20.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Number formation from 0 to 9
Digits from 0 to 9 are unique words: ნული (nuli) for zero, ერთი (erti) for 1, ორი (ori) for 2, სამი (sami) for 3, ოთხი (otkhi) for 4, ხუთი (khuti) for 5, ექვსი (ekvsi) for 6, შვიდი (švidi) for 7, რვა (rva) for 8, and ცხრა (tskhra) for 9. These form the basis for constructing larger numbers.
Formation of tens
Tens are based on the number 20, following a vigesimal system: ოცი (otsi) for 20, ოცდაათი (otsdaati) for 30 (20 + 10), ორმოცი (ormotsi) for 40 (2*20), ორმოცდაათი (ormotsdaati) for 50 (2*20 + 10), სამოცი (samotsi) for 60 (3*20), and so on up to ოთხმოცდაათი (otkhmotsdaati) for 90 (4*20 + 10).
Numbers from 11 to 19
Numbers 11 to 19 are formed by prefixing the unit digit with თ (t), a short form of the word for ten. For example, თერთმეტი (tertmet’i) for 11, თორმეტი (tormet’i) for 12, ცამეტი (tsamet’i) for 13, თოთხმეტი (totkhmet’i) for 14, თხუთმეტი (tkhutmet’i) for 15, თექვსმეტი (tekvsmet’i) for 16, ჩვიდმეტი (čvidmet’i) for 17, თვრამეტი (tvramet’i) for 18, and ცხრამეტი (tskhramet’i) for 19.
Formation of compound numbers
Numbers above 20 are formed by combining the base tens with units using the conjunction და (da, meaning 'and'). For example, 21 is ოცდაერთი (otsdaerti, 20 + 1), 36 is ოცდათექვსმეტი (otsdatekvsmet’i, 20 + 16), and 78 is სამოცდარვა (samotsdarva, 3*20 + 18). For multiples of twenty, the final ი (i) in the ten is dropped, e.g., ოცდაერთი (otsdaerti) for 21, and the conjunction და (da) connects the parts.
Hundreds and thousands
Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit (without final ი) with ასი (asi). For example, 100 is ასი (asi), 200 is ორასი (orasi), 300 სამასი (samasi), and 900 ცხრაასი (tskhraasi). Thousands are formed by prefixing the digit with the word ათასი (atasi), e.g., ორი ათასი (ori atasi) for 2000, სამი ათასი (sami atasi) for 3000, up to 9000 ცხრა ათასი (tskhra atasi).
Unique features
The vigesimal system makes numbers like 30 (ოცდაათი) and 50 (ორმოცდაათი) compound words based on 20 + 10.
Unlike many languages that are decimal, Georgian uses a base-20 structure for tens and compound numbers.
Numbers 11-19 are formed with a prefix თ (t), which shortens the word for ten, e.g., თერთმეტი (11).
Large numbers like one million are borrowed from other languages: מילიონი (milioni), showing cultural exchange.
The formation of hundreds and thousands involves dropping the final ი (i) in the prefix, e.g., ორასი (200).
Cultural context
Georgian is spoken primarily in Georgia, a country with a rich history in the Caucasus region. Its culture emphasizes hospitality, traditional music, and ancient Christian churches. Numbers appear in daily life, from trade to religious festivals. For example, the number 13 (სამი) is often avoided in some contexts, while 7 (შვიდი) is considered lucky. The language’s unique counting system reflects Georgia’s historical isolation and cultural resilience, blending indigenous roots with influences from neighboring regions. Large numbers like one million are used in modern economic contexts, but traditional counting remains vital in cultural rituals and storytelling.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 18 is თვრამეტი (tvramet’i), combining the prefix თ (t) with რვა (rva, 8), showing how the language shortens the ten’s suffix.
Fact 2: Unlike English, where 21 is 'twenty-one,' Georgian says ორმოცდაერთი (ormotsdaerti), literally '20 and 1,' emphasizing the vigesimal base.
Fact 3: The pattern of dropping final ი (i) in hundreds and thousands is unique among many Indo-European languages.
Fact 4: The word for one million, מילიონი (milioni), is borrowed from Latin-based languages, reflecting modern influence.
Fact 5: For very large numbers, Georgian uses specific words like მილიარდი (miliardi) for billion, showing its capacity for large-scale counting.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Georgian?
1 - ერთი (erti), 2 - ორი (ori), 3 - სამი (sami), 4 - ოთხი (otkhi), 5 - ხუთი (khuti), 6 - ექვსი (ekvsi), 7 - შვიდი (švidi), 8 - რვა (rva), 9 - ცხრა (tskhra), 10 - ათი (ati).
What number base does Georgian use?
Georgian uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by the formation of 30 (ოცდაათი, 20+10), 40 (ორმოცი, 2*20), and 50 (ორმოცდაათი, 2*20+10).
How do you say 42 in Georgian?
42 is ორმოცდაორი (ormotsdaori), formed by 40 (ორმოცი, ormotsi) plus 2 (ორი, ori), connected with the conjunction და (da).
How do you say 100 in Georgian?
100 is ასი (asi). Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit with ასი, e.g., ორასი (orasi) for 200.
How many people speak Georgian?
Approximately 3.7 million people speak Georgian, primarily in Georgia.
Is Georgian related to other languages?
Yes, Georgian belongs to the Kartvelian language family, which is a unique branch within the South Caucasian languages, unrelated to Indo-European or Turkic languages.
What makes Georgian counting unique?
Its vigesimal (base-20) system and the formation of numbers from 11 to 19 with the prefix თ (t) are highly distinctive features.
Sources
- Georgian transliteration