Numbers in Romulan
Numbers in Romulan follow a complex decimal-based system that combines unique words for units, tens, hundreds, and large scales. Spoken by fictional Romulan characters in the Star Trek universe, this language features a distinctive way of constructing numbers, especially for large values like thousands and beyond. The counting system is based on specific roots for digits and combines them with suffixes and connectors, making it both logical and culturally rich. With only a handful of native speakers in the fictional context, the numbers in Romulan reveal a fascinating blend of linguistic creativity and mathematical structure, making it a captivating subject for language enthusiasts and Star Trek fans alike.
Number system
Romulan counting is primarily decimal, with specific words for digits 0-9: lliu [0], hwi [1], kre [2], sei [3], mne [4], rhi [5], fve [6], lli [7], the [8], lhi [9]. Tens are formed by suffixing the digit root with 'ha' from dha, e.g., dha [10], kra [20], seha [30], mnha [40], rha [50], fvha [60], lla [70], thha [80], lha [90]. For example, 32 is 'seha’kre' (30 + 2), and 69 is 'fvha’lhi' (60 + 9). Hundreds are formed by adding 'hu' from khu: khu [100], kru [200], sehu [300], mnhu [400], rhu [500], fvhu [600], llu [700], thhu [800], lhu [900]. Compound hundreds combine with tens and units with hyphens and apostrophes, e.g., 'khu’hwi' (101), 'sehu-fvha’lli' (367). Thousands are expressed by placing the digit before 'dhei', e.g., 'hwi dhei' (1,000), 'kre dhei' (2,000). Larger scales follow the short scale: one million is 'hwi kre-dhei', one billion 'hwi sei-dhei', and one trillion 'hwi mnhe-dhei'.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits from 0 to 9
Each digit has a specific word: lliu [0], hwi [1], kre [2], sei [3], mne [4], rhi [5], fve [6], lli [7], the [8], lhi [9]. For example, 7 is 'lli', 4 is 'mne', and 9 is 'lhi'.
Forming Tens
Tens are formed by suffixing the digit root with 'ha' from dha, except for ten itself. For example, 20 is 'kra', 30 is 'seha', 40 is 'mnha', 50 is 'rha', 60 is 'fvha', 70 is 'lla', 80 is 'thha', and 90 is 'lha'.
Constructing Compound Numbers
Numbers between 21 and 99 are formed by combining the ten and digit with an apostrophe. For example, 32 is 'seha’kre' (30 + 2), 69 is 'fvha’lhi' (60 + 9), 78 is 'lla’lli' (70 + 8), 53 is 'rha’sei' (50 + 3), and 86 is 'thha’the' (80 + 6).
Forming Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by suffixing the digit root with 'hu' from khu, e.g., 100 is 'khu', 200 is 'kru', 300 is 'sehu', 400 is 'mnhu', 500 is 'rhu', 600 is 'fvhu', 700 is 'llu', 800 is 'thhu', 900 is 'lhu'. Compound hundreds link the hundred and the remaining number with an apostrophe and hyphen, e.g., 101 is 'khu’hwi', 367 is 'sehu-fvha’lli'.
Large Numbers
Thousands are expressed by placing the digit before 'dhei', e.g., 1,000 is 'hwi dhei', 2,000 is 'kre dhei'. Larger scales follow the short scale: 1 million is 'hwi kre-dhei', 1 billion is 'hwi sei-dhei', and 1 trillion is 'hwi mnhe-dhei'.
Unique features
Romulan uses a decimal system with specific words for each digit, unlike purely vigesimal or quaternary systems. For example, 6 is 'fve' and 9 is 'lhi'.
The formation of compound numbers with apostrophes and hyphens is similar to some Semitic languages, but uniquely applied here for tens and hundreds.
A surprising pattern is that the words for large numbers like million, billion, and trillion are formed by combining the base number words with 'dhei', following the short scale system, which is common in English but rare in constructed languages.
Large numbers such as 'hwi mnhe-dhei' (one trillion) are built by stacking scale words, showing a clear hierarchical structure similar to the Western short scale.
The word 'dhei' for thousand is borrowed from the concept of 'thousand' but adapted into the Romulan phonetic system, reflecting cultural borrowing in their language.
Cultural context
The Romulan people, living in the fictional Star Empire, are portrayed as a highly disciplined and secretive civilization. Their language, including the counting system, reflects their structured society and technological sophistication. Numbers appear in trade, military commands, and navigation, often emphasizing precision. In their culture, certain numbers like 7 ('lli') are considered auspicious, while others may be taboo in specific contexts. The use of large numbers like 'hwi mnhe-dhei' (one trillion) underscores their focus on vast scales of space and time, fitting their expansive empire. Despite being fictional, the language's numerical system reveals a meticulous approach to quantification and hierarchy.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 19 is 'dha’lhi', combining the prefix for ten ('dha') with the digit nine ('lhi'), illustrating how compound numbers are formed.
Fact 2: Unlike many languages that use a base-20 or base-60 system, Romulan's counting system is strictly decimal, similar to English and many other Earth languages.
Fact 3: The formation of large numbers like 'hwi kre-dhei' (one million) follows the short scale, where each new term is a thousand times larger than the previous, unlike the long scale used in some European languages.
Fact 4: The word 'khu' for 100 is a direct borrowing from the Vulcan root 'khu', indicating cultural and linguistic continuity from Vulcan origins.
Fact 5: The language handles very large numbers systematically, with 'hwi mnhe-dhei' representing one trillion, demonstrating an advanced numerical hierarchy in the fictional culture.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Romulan?
1 is 'hwi', 2 is 'kre', 3 is 'sei', 4 is 'mne', 5 is 'rhi', 6 is 'fve', 7 is 'lli', 8 is 'the', 9 is 'lhi', 10 is 'dha'.
What number base does Romulan use?
Romulan uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the words for 10 ('dha'), 20 ('kra'), and the formation of compound numbers like 'seha’kre' (32).
How do you say 42 in Romulan?
42 is 'seha’mnhe' (30 + 12), but since 12 is 'dha’kre', it can also be 'seha’dha’kre' (30 + 12).
How do you say 100 in Romulan?
100 is 'khu'. For numbers like 101, it's 'khu’hwi', combining 100 and 1.
How many people speak Romulan?
The exact number of speakers is unknown, as Romulan is a fictional language from the Star Trek universe.
Is Romulan related to other languages?
Romulan is a constructed language inspired by Vulcan and based on a decimal counting system, but it is a unique creation within the Star Trek universe.
What makes Romulan counting unique?
Its systematic use of suffixes and compound formations for tens, hundreds, and large scales, following a clear short scale hierarchy, distinguishes it from many other fictional languages.
Sources
- Imperial Romulan Language Institute