Numbers in Hungarian
magyar nyelv
Numbers in Hungarian follow a primarily decimal system with unique formations for compound numbers and specific patterns for tens and hundreds. Spoken by approximately 13 million people mainly in Hungary and neighboring regions, Hungarian is part of the Uralic language family. Its counting system features irregularities in the formation of numbers like 11-19, and compound words such as 'tizennégy' for 14 or 'harminckilenc' for 39. Unlike many Indo-European languages, Hungarian combines base words with suffixes or prefixes, creating a distinctive pattern. This makes learning the numbers in Hungarian both challenging and fascinating for language enthusiasts.
Number system
Hungarian uses a decimal system as its core, but with unique rules for forming numbers. The digits 0-9 are represented by specific words: nulla [0], egy [1], kettő [2], három [3], négy [4], öt [5], hat [6], hét [7], nyolc [8], kilenc [9]. Numbers 10, 20, and 30 are irregular: tíz [10], húsz [20], harminc [30]. For 11-19, the prefix 'tizen' is added to the unit: tizenegy [11], tizenkettő [12], tizenkettő [12], tizenkilenc [19]. Tens from forty to ninety are formed by combining the multiplier with 'ven' or 'van' suffixes: negyven [40], ötven [50], hatvan [60], hetven [70], nyolcvan [80], kilencven [90]. Compound numbers like 42 (negyvenkettő) are formed by combining the tens and units directly without spaces. Hundreds are formed by prefixing the number with the word for hundred: száz [100], kétszáz [200], háromszáz [300]. Thousands are formed similarly: ezer [1,000], kétezer [2,000], háromezer [3,000]. Larger numbers follow the long scale, with each new term being a million times bigger than the previous.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Formation of numbers 0-9
Digits from zero to nine are represented by specific words: nulla [0], egy [1], kettő [2], három [3], négy [4], öt [5], hat [6], hét [7], nyolc [8], kilenc [9]. For example, 1 is 'egy', 4 is 'négy', and 9 is 'kilenc'.
Irregular numbers 10, 20, and 30
The numbers 10, 20, and 30 are irregular: tíz [10], húsz [20], harminc [30]. These serve as base words for forming compound numbers.
Formation of 11-19
Numbers from eleven to nineteen are formed by prefixing 'tizen' to the unit: 11 is 'tizenegy', 12 is 'tizenkettő', 19 is 'tizenkilenc'. For example, 13 is 'tizenhárom'.
Formation of tens from 40 to 90
Tens from forty to ninety are formed by combining the multiplier with 'ven' or 'van': 40 is 'negyven', 50 is 'ötven', 80 is 'nyolcvan', 90 is 'kilencven'. For example, 78 is 'hetvennyolc'.
Formation of compound numbers
Numbers above 30 are formed by combining the ten and unit words directly, without spaces: 42 is 'negyvenkettő', 78 is 'hetvennyolc', 98 is 'kilencvennyolc'.
Hundreds and thousands
Hundreds are formed by prefixing the number with 'száz': 100 is 'száz', 200 is 'kétszáz', 300 is 'háromszáz'. Thousands are formed similarly: 1,000 is 'ezer', 2,000 is 'kétezer', 3,000 is 'háromezer'.
Unique features
Numbers 11-19 are formed with the prefix 'tizen' (e.g., tizenöt for 15), unlike the simple addition pattern in many languages.
Compound numbers like 42 ('negyvenkettő') are written as one word, with no spaces, which is distinctive compared to English.
The formation of tens involves suffixes 'ven' or 'van' (e.g., negyven, nyolcvan), which is unique among European languages.
Large numbers follow the long scale: 1 million is 'millió', and each new term is a million times bigger than the previous, e.g., milliárd for billion.
The words for 200 ('kétszáz') and 300 ('háromszáz') combine the multiplier with 'száz', reflecting a systematic pattern.
Cultural context
Hungarian is spoken mainly in Hungary, a country with a rich cultural heritage, including folk traditions, music, and cuisine. Numbers appear in daily life, from markets to festivals, and are integral to traditional practices like counting for crafts or rituals. The number 7 ('hét') is considered lucky, while 13 ('tizenhárom') is often avoided in some contexts. The language's unique number formation reflects its Uralic roots and historical isolation, fostering a strong cultural identity. Large numbers are used in commerce, especially in historical land and tax records, emphasizing precision and tradition.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 14 is 'tizennégy', combining 'tizen' (11-19 prefix) with 'négy' (4).
Fact 2: Unlike English, Hungarian forms 21 as 'huszonegy' (literally 'twenty and one'), but in practice, it’s written as 'huszonegy' without spaces.
Fact 3: The formation of 78 ('hetvennyolc') combines 'hetven' (70) and 'nyolc' (8) directly, illustrating the compound pattern.
Fact 4: Historically, the use of long scale for large numbers like 'billió' (trillion) reflects European influence, but Hungarian maintains its own naming conventions.
Fact 5: The systematic formation of hundreds, such as 'háromszáz' (300), shows a clear pattern of combining the multiplier with 'száz', unlike in English where it's separate.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Hungarian?
1 - egy, 2 - kettő, 3 - három, 4 - négy, 5 - öt, 6 - hat, 7 - hét, 8 - nyolc, 9 - kilenc, 10 - tíz.
What number base does Hungarian use?
Hungarian uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by words like 'tíz' [10], 'húsz' [20], and 'harminc' [30], with compound numbers built from these base words.
How do you say 42 in Hungarian?
42 is 'negyvenkettő', formed by combining 'negyven' (40) and 'kettő' (2) directly without space.
How do you say 100 in Hungarian?
100 is 'száz'. Larger hundreds are formed by prefixing the number: 200 is 'kétszáz', 300 is 'háromszáz'.
How many people speak Hungarian?
Approximately 13 million people speak Hungarian, mainly in Hungary and parts of Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
Is Hungarian related to other languages?
Yes, Hungarian belongs to the Uralic family, specifically the Finno-Ugric branch, making it distantly related to Finnish and Estonian.
What makes Hungarian counting unique?
The formation of numbers like 11-19 with 'tizen', the compound words written as one, and the long scale for large numbers are distinctive features that set Hungarian apart from many European languages.