Numbers in Norwegian (Bokmål)
Norsk (Bokmål)
Numbers in Norwegian (Bokmål) follow a primarily decimal system, with some vigesimal influences in the formation of certain numbers. Spoken by about 5 million people mainly in Norway, Norwegian is part of the North Germanic language family. Its counting system is unique in how it combines simple words for 1-12 with compound forms for higher numbers, especially in the formation of numbers like tjue (20) and tretti (30). The language's structure reflects historical influences and cultural nuances, making the numbers in Norwegian (Bokmål) both logical and rich in tradition. Understanding these patterns helps in mastering everyday counting and larger numbers like million and milliard.
Number system
Norwegian (Bokmål) primarily uses a decimal system for counting, evident in numbers like tretti (30), førti (40), femti (50), and so forth. Numbers from 1 to 12 are unique words: én, to, tre, fire, fem, seks, sju, åtte, ni, ti, elleve, tolv. For numbers 13 to 19, the pattern involves adding the word for ten (ti) to the digit: tretten (13), fjorten (14), femten (15), seksten (16), sytten (17), atten (18), nitten (19). Tens are formed by suffixing the digit root with 'ti': ti (10), tjue (20), tretti (30), etc. For example, 34 is trettifire, combining tretti (30) and fire (4). Numbers like 42 are built as hundre og to (100 and 2), or 1,021 as ett tusen og tjueén, showing the use of 'og' (and) for compound formations. Hundreds and thousands are formed by stating the multiplier before 'hundre' or 'tusen': to hundre (200), tre hundre (300), to tusen (2000). Larger numbers like million and milliard are used for big scale counting.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Number words from zero to twelve are unique
Numbers 0 to 12 have specific words: nul [0], én / éi / étt [1], to [2], tre [3], fire [4], fem [5], seks [6], sju [7], åtte [8], ni [9], ti [10], elleve [11], tolv [12]. For example, 1 is én, 2 is to, and 12 is tolv.
Numbers from thirteen to nineteen are formed by adding 'ten' words
Numbers like tretten [13], fjorten [14], femten [15], seksten [16], sytten [17], atten [18], nitten [19] are formed by combining the digit word with 'ti' (ten). For example, femten (15) combines fem (5) and ten (ti).
Tens are formed by suffixing the digit root with 'ti'
Tens like tretti [30], førti [40], femti [50], seksti [60], sytti [70], åtti [80], nitti [90] are built by adding 'ti' to the digit root. For example, tre (3) + ti = tretti (30).
Numbers 21-99 are compound words joined with no space
Numbers like tjueni [29], trettifire [34], and nitti [90] are formed by combining tens and units directly. For example, 29 is tjueni (tju + eni), and 34 is trettifire (tretti + fire).
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'hundre'
For example, ett hundre [100], to hundre [200], tre hundre [300], and so on. The number 104 is hundre og fire, combining hundre (100) and fire (4) with 'og'.
Thousands are formed similarly with 'tusen'
Ett tusen [1,000], to tusen [2,000], tre tusen [3,000], etc. Compound numbers like ett tusen og tjueén [1021] use 'og' to connect thousands and units.
Unique features
The number 7 is sju, which is different from the more common sju in other Scandinavian languages like Swedish sju or Danish syv, showing regional variation.
Unlike English, Norwegian uses 'og' (and) to connect hundreds and tens or units in compound numbers, e.g., hundre og fire [104].
The formation of numbers like tjue [20] and tretti [30] reflects a vigesimal influence, but it is integrated into a primarily decimal system.
Large numbers like én million and én milliard are borrowed from Latin/Greek roots, with 'milliard' being used for billion, unlike the American 'billion'.
The word for one (én) can also be written as éi or étt depending on gender and context, showing subtle grammatical variations.
Cultural context
Norwegian (Bokmål) is spoken mainly in Norway, a country known for its rich Viking history, stunning fjords, and strong cultural traditions. Numbers appear frequently in daily life, from trading fish to counting in traditional events. The number 7 (sju) is considered somewhat lucky, while the number 13 is often avoided in some contexts. Large numbers like million and milliard are used in economics and government statistics. The language's numeric system reflects Norway's historical trade connections and cultural influences, blending simplicity with regional variations. Numbers also appear in folklore, literature, and modern media, emphasizing their cultural significance.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 'nitten' [19] literally means 'nine-ten,' showing how Norwegian combines units and tens in a unique way.
Fact 2: Unlike English, which uses a separate word for 100, Norwegian uses 'hundre,' but the formation of compound numbers like 104 (hundre og fire) is similar to other Germanic languages.
Fact 3: The formation of numbers from 13 to 19 in Norwegian is similar to other Germanic languages, but the use of 'og' in compound numbers is distinctive.
Fact 4: Historically, the word 'sju' for seven is believed to derive from Old Norse, maintaining linguistic continuity over centuries.
Fact 5: Norwegian handles very large numbers by combining the base words with 'million' and 'milliard,' which are borrowed terms, reflecting modern numerical concepts.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Norwegian (Bokmål)?
1 - én, 2 - to, 3 - tre, 4 - fire, 5 - fem, 6 - seks, 7 - sju, 8 - åtte, 9 - ni, 10 - ti.
What number base does Norwegian (Bokmål) use?
Norwegian primarily uses a decimal (base-10) system, as seen in numbers like tretti [30], førti [40], and femti [50], but also incorporates vigesimal (base-20) influences in words like tjue [20].
How do you say 42 in Norwegian (Bokmål)?
42 is hundre og to, formed by combining hundred (hundre) and two (to) with 'og' (and): ett tusen og tjueén [1021] for 1021, and for 42, it's hundre og to.
How do you say 100 in Norwegian (Bokmål)?
Hundre is the word for 100. For numbers like 104, it becomes hundre og fire, combining hundre (100) and fire (4) with 'og'.
How many people speak Norwegian (Bokmål)?
About 5 million people speak Norwegian (Bokmål), mainly in Norway.
Is Norwegian (Bokmål) related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the North Germanic branch of the Indo-European family, closely related to Swedish and Danish.
What makes Norwegian (Bokmål) counting unique?
The use of 'og' to connect parts of compound numbers and the influence of vigesimal patterns in words like tjue (20) are distinctive features.