Numbers in Gujarati
ગુજરાતી
Numbers in Gujarati follow a mixed counting system combining decimal and vigesimal elements, characteristic of many Indian languages. Spoken by about 46 million people primarily in Gujarat, India, Gujarati is part of the Indo-European language family. Its unique counting system features irregular teens, compound formations, and large number names derived from traditional Indian numeration. The language's counting system reflects cultural influences and historical Vedic numeration practices, making it both complex and fascinating. Understanding numbers in Gujarati offers insight into its rich linguistic and cultural heritage, especially in trade, daily life, and traditional rituals.
Number system
Gujarati counting primarily relies on a decimal system for units and hundreds, but incorporates vigesimal (base-20) elements for numbers like 20 (વીસ, vīs) and 80 (એંસી, ẽsī). Numbers 1-9 are unique words, for example, 1 (એક, eka), 2 (બે, be), 3 (ત્રણ, traṇ), and so forth. Tens are formed by specific words like ૧૦ (દસ, das) for 10, ૨૦ (વીસ, vīs) for 20, and ૩૦ (ત્રીસ, trīs) for 30. Compound numbers from 21 to 29, such as એકવીસ (ekavīs, 21) and બાવીસ (bāvīs, 22), are formed by prefixing the ten word with the unit root, with vowel changes, e.g., 22 (બાવીસ, bāvīs) from 20 (વીસ, vīs) + 2 (બે, be). Similarly, 42 (ચોર્યાસી, coryāshī) is formed from 40 (ચાર, cār) + 2 (બે, be). Hundreds are formed by prefixing the short form of 'hundred' (સો, so) with the digit, e.g., 100 (એકસો, ekaso), 200 (બસ્સો, baso). Thousands are formed by placing the multiplier before 'hajar' (હજાર), e.g., 1,000 (એક હજાર, eka hajār). Large numbers like lakh (લાખ) and crore (કરોડ) follow Indian grouping rules, with 1 lakh (લાખ) = 100,000 and 1 crore (કરોડ) = 10 million, showing the influence of Vedic numeration. The system combines regular patterns with irregular teens and unique large number names, reflecting Indian linguistic traditions.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Units and Zero
Digits 0-9 are represented by specific words: શૂન્ય (0), એક (1), બે (2), ત્રણ (3), ચાર (4), પાંચ (5), છ (6), સાત (7), આઠ (8), નવ (9). For example, 0 is શૂન્ય, 1 is એક, and 9 is નવ.
Teens (11-19)
Teens are irregular: 11 (અગિયાર, agiyār), 12 (બાર, bār), 13 (તેર, ter), 14 (ચૌદ, caud), 15 (પંદર, paṅdar), 16 (સોળ, soḷ), 17 (સત્તર, sattar), 18 (અઢાર, aḍhār), 19 (ઓગણીસ, ogaṇīs). They do not follow a regular pattern of combining ten + unit.
Tens and Compound Numbers
Tens are formed from specific words: 10 (દસ, das), 20 (વીસ, vīs), 30 (ત્રીસ, trīs), 40 (ચાળીસ, cāḷīs), 50 (પચાસ, pacās), 60 (સાઠ, sāṭh), 70 (સિત્તેર, sitter), 80 (એંસી, ẽsī), 90 (નેવું, nevuṅ). Compound numbers like 21 (એકવીસ, ekavīs) are formed by prefixing the ten word with the unit root, with vowel modifications, e.g., 22 (બાવીસ, bāvīs) from 20 + 2.
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by prefixing the short form of 'hundred' (સો, so) with the digit: 100 (એકસો, ekaso), 200 (બસ્સો, baso), 300 (ત્રસો, traņso). Compound hundreds combine the hundred and the tens or units with a space, e.g., 103 (એકસો ત્રણ, ekaso traṇ), 552 (પાંચસો બાવન, pāṅcso bāvan).
Thousands and Large Numbers
Thousands are formed by placing the multiplier digit before 'hajar' (હજાર): 1,000 (એક હજાર, eka hajār), 2,000 (બે હજાર, be hajār). Larger numbers follow Indian grouping: lakh (લાખ) = 100,000, crore (કરોડ) = 10 million, with names like 1 lakh (લાખ) and 10 lakh (દસ લાખ).
Unique features
Gujarati uses a mixed decimal-vigesimal system, with 20 (વીસ, vīs) and 80 (એંસી, ẽsī) as key markers, unlike pure decimal systems.
Compound numbers like 21 (એકવીસ, ekavīs) and 78 (સિત્યોતેર, sityoter) involve vowel changes and prefixing, similar to other Indian languages but with unique phonetic patterns.
Teens are irregular, e.g., 13 (તેર, ter) and 19 (ઓગણીસ, ogaṇīs), unlike the regular pattern in many other languages.
Large numbers follow Indian grouping rules, with lakh and crore, reflecting cultural and historical influences from Vedic numeration.
Gujarati incorporates borrowed terms like 'hajār' (હજાર) for thousand, showing linguistic borrowing from Persian/Arabic influences.
Cultural context
Gujarati is spoken by about 46 million people mainly in Gujarat, India, and in diaspora communities worldwide. The language's counting system is deeply rooted in Indian tradition, used in trade, religious rituals, and daily transactions. Large numbers like lakh and crore are common in business and government documents. Certain numbers, such as 13 (તેર) and 19 (ઓગણીસ), are considered culturally significant, with some numbers regarded as auspicious or inauspicious in local customs. The use of traditional terms in everyday life reflects a rich cultural heritage, blending ancient Indian numeration with modern usage. Gujarati numerals also appear in festivals, religious offerings, and traditional storytelling, emphasizing their cultural importance.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 78 (સિત્યોતેર, sityoter) involves a vowel shift from the base ten word, showcasing phonetic evolution.
Fact 2: Unlike English, where 21 is 'twenty-one,' Gujarati forms 21 as એકવીસ (ekavīs), combining the ten and unit with vowel modifications.
Fact 3: The irregularity of teens (11-19) in Gujarati is similar to other Indo-Aryan languages, but more pronounced than in English.
Fact 4: The large number names like 'karoḍ' (10 million) reflect the Indian Vedic numeration system, which groups digits in twos beyond 1,000.
Fact 5: Gujarati uses specific words for large numbers like 'લાખ' (lākh) for 100,000, which are commonly used in everyday financial transactions and storytelling.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Gujarati?
1 - એક (eka), 2 - બે (be), 3 - ત્રણ (traṇ), 4 - ચાર (cār), 5 - પાંચ (pāṅc), 6 - છ (cha), 7 - સાત (sāt), 8 - આઠ (āṭha), 9 - નવ (nav), 10 - દસ (das).
What number base does Gujarati use?
Gujarati uses a mixed decimal and vigesimal system. Evidence includes 20 (વીસ, vīs) and 80 (એંસી, ẽsī), which are key markers, and the formation of compound numbers like 21 (એકવીસ, ekavīs).
How do you say 42 in Gujarati?
42 is ચોર્યાસી (coryāshī), formed from 40 (ચાર, cār) + 2 (બે, be), with vowel changes typical of compound formation.
How do you say 100 in Gujarati?
100 is એકસો (ekaso), formed by prefixing 'સો' (so, hundred) with the digit 1 (એક, eka).
How many people speak Gujarati?
Approximately 46 million people speak Gujarati, primarily in the Indian state of Gujarat and among diaspora communities worldwide.
Is Gujarati related to other languages?
Yes, Gujarati belongs to the Indo-European language family, specifically the Indo-Aryan branch, related to Hindi, Punjabi, and Marathi.
What makes Gujarati counting unique?
Gujarati counting features irregular teens, compound formations with vowel modifications, and large number names like lakh and crore, reflecting Indian Vedic numeration traditions.