Numbers in Serbian
Српски
Numbers in Serbian follow a vigesimal (base-20) system combined with decimal elements, making it a mixed counting system. Spoken by about 7 million people primarily in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and surrounding regions, Serbian is a South Slavic language with a rich linguistic tradition. Its counting system is unique because it combines specific patterns for numbers 1-19, tens, hundreds, and large scales like million, billion, and trillion. The language's structure reflects historical influences and cultural nuances, making the numbers in Serbian both fascinating and complex for learners and linguists alike.
Number system
Serbian counting primarily relies on a vigesimal system, especially evident in numbers from 20 to 99. For example, 20 is 'dvadeset', formed by 'dva' (two) + 'deset' (ten), indicating a base-20 pattern. Numbers 21-29 are constructed as 'dvadeset i tri' (23), combining the tens with units using 'i' (and). The numbers 30 ('trideset'), 40 ('četrdeset'), 50 ('pedeset'), 60 ('šezdeset'), 70 ('sedamdeset'), 80 ('osamdeset'), and 90 ('devedeset') follow a similar pattern, where the tens are formed by adding 'deset' to the multiplier. Hundreds are formed with the pattern 'sto' (100), 'dvesta' (200), 'trista' (300), etc., with compound numbers like 142 ('sto četrdeset i dva') following the same rule. Large numbers like million, billion, and trillion follow the long scale, multiplying by powers of a million.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits from 0 to 9
Digits 0-9 are unique words: нула (nula) [0], један (jedan) [1], два (dva) [2], три (tri) [3], четири (četiri) [4], пет (pet) [5], шест (šest) [6], седам (sedam) [7], осам (osam) [8], девет (devet) [9]. The words for 1 and 2 have gendered forms: једна/један/једно (jedna/jedan/jedno) and две/два/два (dve/dva/dva).
Formation of tens
Tens are formed by adding 'deset' to the multiplier: 10 is 'deset', 20 is 'dvadeset', 30 is 'trideset', etc. For example, 30 is 'trideset', 40 is 'četrdeset', and 50 is 'pedeset'. Numbers like 23 are formed as 'dvadeset i tri' (20 + 3), combining the tens and units with 'i' (and).
Formation of hundreds
Hundreds are formed from the digit and 'sto' (100): 100 is 'sto', 200 is 'dvesto', 300 is 'tristo', 400 is 'četiristo', etc. For example, 142 is 'sto četrdeset i dva' (100 + 40 + 2). The feminine form 'stotina' is also used, e.g., 'jedna stotina' for 100.
Constructing compound numbers
Numbers between 21 and 99 are built by combining the tens with units using 'i' (and). For example, 78 is 'sedamdeset i osam' (70 + 8), and 42 is 'četrdeset i dva' (40 + 2). Larger numbers like 356 are 'trista pedeset i šest' (300 + 50 + 6).
Large numbers and scales
Serbian uses the long scale for large numbers: 1,000 is 'hiljada', 1,000,000 is 'milion', 1,000,000,000 is 'milijarda', and 1,000,000,000,000 is 'bilion'. For example, 2,000 is 'dve hiljade', 1.5 million is 'jedan i po milion', and 3 trillion is 'tri biliona'.
Unique features
Numbers 11-19 are formed by adding the suffix -naest to the root, e.g., 'trinaest' (13), which is unique compared to other Slavic languages.
The use of the 'i' (and) to connect tens and units from 21 to 99 is similar to other Balkan languages but distinct from Western Slavic languages.
Numbers like 40 ('četrdeset') and 90 ('devedeset') show irregularities compared to standard decimal systems, reflecting historical influences.
Large numbers follow the long scale, where 'bilion' (trillion) is 10^12, unlike the short scale used in English.
The words for 1 and 2 change gender depending on the scale: 'jedan' (masculine), 'jedna' (feminine), 'dva' (masculine/neuter), 'dve' (feminine).
Cultural context
Serbian is spoken mainly in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a rich cultural history. Numbers appear in daily life, trade, and traditions, such as counting in folk music, literature, and religious practices. Certain numbers like 7 ('sedam') are considered lucky, while others like 13 ('trinaest') may be viewed with superstition. The use of large numbers reflects Serbia's historical and economic developments, especially in trade and official records. The language's numerical system embodies cultural identity and historical influences, making it a vital part of Serbian heritage.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 19 is 'devetnaest', formed by 'devet' (9) + 'naest', highlighting the suffix pattern for 11-19.
Fact 2: Unlike English, Serbian uses a vigesimal system for numbers above 20, similar to French or Basque, but with unique Serbian formations.
Fact 3: The number 42 in Serbian is 'četrdeset i dva', illustrating the combination of tens and units with 'i'.
Fact 4: The word for 100, 'sto', is short and simple, but the feminine form 'stotina' is used for approximate quantities, e.g., 'dve stotine' for 200.
Fact 5: Large numbers like 'jedan bilion' (1 trillion) follow the long scale, which is different from the short scale used in American English, where 'trillion' equals 10^12.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Serbian?
1 - један (jedan), 2 - два (dva), 3 - три (tri), 4 - четири (četiri), 5 - пет (pet), 6 - шест (šest), 7 - седам (sedam), 8 - осам (osam), 9 - девет (devet), 10 - десет (deset).
What number base does Serbian use?
Serbian uses a vigesimal (base-20) system combined with decimal. For example, 20 is 'dvadeset', formed from 'dva' (two) + 'deset' (ten), and numbers like 42 are 'četrdeset i dva', combining 40 and 2.
How do you say 42 in Serbian?
42 is 'četrdeset i dva', formed by 'četrdeset' (40) plus 'i' (and) plus 'dva' (2).
How do you say 100 in Serbian?
100 is 'sto'. Larger hundreds are formed as 'dvesto' (200), 'tristo' (300), etc., with 'dve stotine' for 200 and 'jedna stotina' for 100.
How many people speak Serbian?
About 7 million people speak Serbian, primarily in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Is Serbian related to other languages?
Yes, Serbian is part of the South Slavic branch of the Slavic language family, closely related to Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin.
What makes Serbian counting unique?
Its use of a vigesimal system for numbers above 20, the suffix -naest for 11-19, and the gendered forms for 1 and 2 are distinctive features.
Sources
- Noun declension, by Larisa Zlatic (in .pdf)
- The Treatment of Numerals in Text Processing, by Cvetana Krstev and Duško Vitas (in .pdf)
- Serbian transliteration