Numbers in Hylian
Numbers in Hylian follow a mixed decimal and vigesimal system, similar to Japanese but with distinct constructed rules. Spoken by fans and enthusiasts of The Legend of Zelda series, it features a syllabic script and a unique way of forming compound numbers. Its counting system combines base-10 and base-20 elements, making it both familiar and exotic. The language's structure reflects its fictional origin, with specific rules for units, tens, hundreds, and thousands. As a constructed language, Hylian's numbers in Hylian reveal a carefully designed linguistic pattern that enhances its cultural depth and immersion in the game universe.
Number system
Hylian uses a combination of decimal and vigesimal counting. Units from 1 to 9 are unique words: 1–hire, 2–dise, 3–troe, 4–kose, 5–pante, 6–hënte, 7–site, 8–onte, 9–nive. Tens are formed by prefixing the word for ten (dëme) with the digit root: 10–dëme, 20–didëme, 30–trodëme, 40–kodëme, 50–pandëme, 60–hëndëme, 70–sidëme, 80–ondëme, 90–nidëme. Compound numbers like 11–dëme hire and 76–sidëme hënte are formed by combining the ten word with the digit separated by a space. Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'sale' (hundred): 100–sale, 200–disale, 300–trosale, 400–kosale, 500–pansale, 600–hënsale, 700–sisale, 800–onsale, 900–nisale. Thousands combine the multiplier with 'male' (thousand) using 'do' as a conjunction: 1,000–male, 2,000–dise do male, 3,258–troe do male disale pandëme onte. Larger numbers are built by combining these elements, following the rules for hundreds, tens, and units.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Units from 0 to 9
Numbers 0–9 have unique words: sore (0), hire (1), dise (2), troe (3), kose (4), pante (5), hënte (6), site (7), onte (8), nive (9). For example, 1 is hire, 2 is dise, and 9 is nive.
Tens formation
Tens are formed by prefixing the word for ten (dëme) with the digit root: 10–dëme, 20–didëme, 30–trodëme, etc. Compound numbers like 11–dëme hire and 76–sidëme hënte are created by combining the ten word with the digit separated by a space.
Hundreds formation
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier digit root before 'sale' (sale = hundred). For example, 200 is disale, 300 is trosale, and 900 is nisale. The number 100 itself is sale.
Thousands formation
Thousands are formed by placing the multiplier before 'male' (thousand), connected with 'do'. For example, 1,000 is male, 2,000 is dise do male, and 3,258 is troe do male disale pandëme onte.
Compound numbers
To form numbers like 42, you combine the tens and units: 40 is kodëme, 2 is dise, so 42 is kodëme dise. For 78, 70 is sidëme, 8 is onte, so 78 is sidëme onte. Larger numbers follow similar patterns, combining hundreds, tens, and units.
Unique features
Hylian combines decimal and vigesimal systems, as seen in 76–sidëme hënte (70 + 6).
Unlike many languages, the number 100 is simply 'sale', and 1,000 is 'male', with larger numbers built by combining these words.
Compound numbers like 11–dëme hire and 76–sidëme hënte are formed by placing the ten word before the digit, separated by a space, reflecting a pattern similar to Japanese.
The language uses a syllabic script, but here it is transcribed in Latin for clarity, showing a clear pattern for forming large numbers.
The pattern for hundreds involves placing the digit root before 'sale', which is a consistent and logical pattern for constructing large numbers.
Cultural context
Hylian is a fictional language from the universe of The Legend of Zelda, spoken by inhabitants of Hyrule. Its speakers are fans and enthusiasts who incorporate it into cosplay, fan fiction, and role-playing. The numbers are used in trading, storytelling, and game mechanics, often emphasizing the importance of precise counting in quests and lore. The language's structure reflects a blend of simplicity and complexity, with no known taboo or lucky numbers, but the number 100 ('sale') might hold cultural significance as a milestone. The use of large numbers like 1,000 ('male') suggests a society with a concept of scale and measurement, even in a fantasy context.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 76 is 'sidëme hënte', combining 70 (sidëme) and 6 (hënte), illustrating the vigesimal pattern.
Fact 2: Unlike English, where 42 is 'forty-two', in Hylian it is 'kodëme dise', with the ten prefix 'kodëme' for 40 and 'dise' for 2.
Fact 3: The formation of hundreds by placing the digit root before 'sale' is similar to some East Asian numeral systems, like Chinese.
Fact 4: The word for 1,000, 'male', might be inspired by the English word 'male', but in Hylian it is a fundamental unit, used in large number constructions.
Fact 5: The system's reliance on combining smaller units to build larger numbers reflects a logical, recursive structure typical of constructed languages designed for clarity.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Hylian?
1–hire, 2–dise, 3–troe, 4–kose, 5–pante, 6–hënte, 7–site, 8–onte, 9–nive, 10–dëme.
What number base does Hylian use?
Hylian uses a mixed system combining decimal (base-10) and vigesimal (base-20) elements, evidenced by the formation of tens like didëme (20) and sidëme (70).
How do you say 42 in Hylian?
40 is kodëme, 2 is dise, so 42 is 'kodëme dise'.
How do you say 100 in Hylian?
100 is 'sale'. Hundreds are formed by placing the digit root before 'sale', e.g., 300 is 'trosale'.
How many people speak Hylian?
The exact number of speakers is unknown; it is a constructed language from a video game universe, primarily used by fans.
Is Hylian related to other languages?
Hylian is a fictional, constructed language with no direct relation to natural languages, but it mimics features of Japanese and East Asian numeral systems.
What makes Hylian counting unique?
Its combination of decimal and vigesimal systems, with consistent formation rules for hundreds and thousands, and the use of compound words like 'sidëme hënte' for 76, makes it distinctive.
Sources
- Hylian language
- Hylian font