Numbers in Luxembourgish
Lëtzebuergesch
Numbers in Luxembourgish follow a mixed counting system that combines decimal and vigesimal (base-20) features. Spoken by approximately 390,000 people mainly in Luxembourg, as well as in surrounding regions of Belgium, France, and Germany, this language's counting system is unique. It uses specific words for numbers 0 to 12, then forms higher numbers with patterns involving suffixes and compound words. The language's structure reflects its historical influences and regional dialects, making the numbers in Luxembourgish both fascinating and complex for learners. Understanding these rules reveals the language’s rich cultural heritage and linguistic evolution.
Number system
Luxembourgish counting primarily relies on a vigesimal system, especially for numbers above twenty. Numbers 1 to 12 have unique words: eent [1], zwee [2], dräi [3], véier [4], fënnef [5], sechs [6], siwen [7], aacht [8], néng [9], zéng [10], eelef [11], zwielef [12]. From thirteen to nineteen, the pattern is digit + -zéng: dräizéng [13], véierzéng [14], fofzéng [15], siechzéng [16], siwwenzéng [17], uechtzéng [18], nonzéng [19]. Tens are formed with the suffix -zeg: zwanzeg [20], drësseg [30], véierzeg [40], fofzeg [50], sechzeg [60], siwwenzeg [70], achtzeg [80], nonzeg [90]. Compound numbers like 31 are formed as eenandrësseg (1 + 20 + 10), and 78 as siwwenzegantwāntzeg (70 + 8). For 42, it’s fënnefandrësseg (5 + 20 + 10). Hundreds combine as honnerteen [100], e.g., honnerteenanzwanzeg [121], and thousands as dausend, e.g., dausendzweehonnertnonzéng [1,219]. The pattern reflects a systematic combination of base-20 and base-10 elements, with specific rules for formation and pronunciation.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Number Words 0-12
Numbers from null [0] to zwielef [12] have unique words: null, eent, zwee, dräi, véier, fënnef, sechs, siwen, aacht, néng, zéng, eelef, zwielef. These are irregular and must be memorized as distinct words.
Numbers 13-19
Numbers 13 to 19 are formed by combining the digit word with the suffix -zéng: dräizéng [13], véierzéng [14], fofzéng [15], siechzéng [16], siwwenzéng [17], uechtzéng [18], nonzéng [19]. For example, 16 is siechzéng, built from sechs + -zéng.
Tens Formation
Tens are formed by adding the suffix -zeg to the digit root: zwanzeg [20], drësseg [30], véierzeg [40], fofzeg [50], sechzeg [60], siwwenzeg [70], achtzeg [80], nonzeg [90]. For example, 50 is fofzeg, and 70 is siwwenzeg.
Compound Numbers 21-99
Numbers between 21 and 99 combine units and tens with the word 'an' (and), with the unit before the ten, e.g., eenandrësseg [31], fënnefandrësseg [35], and siwwenzegantwāntzeg [78]. The n-Regel (Eifeler Regel) causes dropping of final n in certain contexts, e.g., 51 is eenafofzeg instead of eenanfofzeg.
Hundreds and Thousands
Hundreds are formed as honnerteen [100], e.g., honnerteenanzwanzeg [121]. Thousands are dausend, e.g., dausendzweehonnertnonzéng [1,219]. These are combined directly with the number, without spaces, and are adjectives, so their initial letter is lowercase.
Unique features
Luxembourgish uses a vigesimal system for numbers above twenty, e.g., 78 is siwwenzegantwāntzeg (70 + 8).
The language combines decimal and vigesimal patterns, unlike most European languages that are purely decimal.
The n-Regel causes dropping of final n in compound numbers, e.g., 51 as eenafofzeg instead of eenanfofzeg.
Large numbers like one million are named with the suffix -illioun or -illiard, following the long scale, e.g., eng Millioun for 1 million.
The word for one, eent, remains unchanged, but before nouns, it declines to een (masculine/neuter) or eng (feminine), reflecting gender distinctions.
Cultural context
Luxembourgish is primarily spoken in Luxembourg, a small but wealthy country with a rich cultural heritage. The language reflects its history of regional influences and multilingual environment. Numbers appear frequently in daily transactions, traditional festivals, and official documents. The use of specific number words like siwen [7] or nonzéng [19] can carry cultural significance, especially in folklore or local customs. The country values its linguistic heritage, and certain numbers may be considered lucky or taboo, though specific superstitions are less documented. The language’s unique counting system exemplifies regional identity and historical resilience.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 16 is siechzéng, built from sechs [6] + -zéng, illustrating the pattern for 13-19.
Fact 2: Unlike English, where 78 is 'seventy-eight,' in Luxembourgish it is siwwenzegantwāntzeg (70 + 8), showing vigesimal influence.
Fact 3: The dropping of final n in 51 (e.g., eenafofzeg) follows the n-Regel, a unique phonological rule in Luxembourgish.
Fact 4: The word for one million, eng Millioun, follows the long scale naming convention used in many European languages.
Fact 5: Large numbers like 1,000,000 are formed with the suffix -illioun or -illiard, demonstrating the language’s long scale system for big numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Luxembourgish?
1 - eent, 2 - zwee, 3 - dräi, 4 - véier, 5 - fënnef, 6 - sechs, 7 - siwen, 8 - aacht, 9 - néng, 10 - zéng.
What number base does Luxembourgish use?
Luxembourgish primarily uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, as seen in 20 - zwanzeg, 40 - véierzeg, and compound numbers like 78 - siwwenzegantwāntzeg, combining 70 and 8.
How do you say 42 in Luxembourgish?
42 is fënnefandrësseg, formed from fënnef [5] + -and- + rësseg [20], following the pattern of units + 20.
How do you say 100 in Luxembourgish?
100 is honner, and 121 is honnerteenanzwanzeg, combining 100 + 21 without spaces, following the pattern for hundreds.
How many people speak Luxembourgish?
Approximately 390,000 people speak Luxembourgish, mainly in Luxembourg and surrounding regions of Belgium, France, and Germany.
Is Luxembourgish related to other languages?
Yes, it is part of the West Central German dialect group within the Indo-European family, closely related to Moselle Franconian dialects.
What makes Luxembourgish counting unique?
Its use of a vigesimal system for numbers above twenty, combined with decimal influences and specific phonological rules like the n-Regel, makes its counting system distinctive.
Sources
- The Luxembourgish n-rule