Numbers in Slovene
slovenščina
Numbers in Slovene follow a decimal (base-10) system, typical of many Indo-European languages. Spoken primarily in Slovenia by about 2.5 million people, Slovene's counting system features unique formations for numbers from one to one trillion. Its structure combines simple words for 1-10 with systematic patterns for larger numbers, such as combining units and tens or hundreds and thousands. The language's use of specific suffixes for large numbers, like milijon and milijarda, reflects its long scale naming system. Understanding the numbers in Slovene offers insight into its linguistic logic and cultural richness, making it an intriguing language for learners and linguists alike.
Number system
Counting in Slovene is primarily decimal, with numbers 1-10 having unique words: ena (1), dve (2), tri (3), štiri (4), pet (5), šest (6), sedem (7), osem (8), devet (9), deset (10). Numbers from eleven to nineteen are formed by adding -najst to the root: enajst (11), dvanajst (12), trinajst (13), štirinajst (14), petnajst (15), šestnajst (16), sedemnajst (17), osemnajst (18), devetnajst (19). Tens are formed by adding 'deset' to the digit root, with exceptions: deset (10), dvajset (20), trideset (30), štirideset (40), petdeset (50), šesdeset (60), sedemdeset (70), osemdeset (80), devetdeset (90). For compound numbers like 42, the unit comes first, then 'in' (and), then the ten: dva in štirideset (42). Hundreds are formed by adding 'sto' to the multiplier digit: sto (100), dvesto (200), tristo (300). Thousands use 'tisoč': tisoč (1,000). Larger numbers combine these patterns, e.g., dva milijona (2 million), with the scale words following the long scale pattern.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Numbers 0-10 are unique words
Zero is nič, one is ena, two is dve, three is tri, four is štiri, five is pet, six is šest, seven is sedem, eight is osem, nine is devet, ten is deset. For example, 1 is ena, 4 is štiri, 7 is sedem.
Numbers 11-19 are formed by adding -najst
For example, 11 is enajst, 12 is dvanajst, 13 is trinajst, 14 is štirinajst, 15 is petnajst, 16 is šestnajst, 17 is sedemnajst, 18 is osemnajst, 19 is devetnajst.
Tens are formed by adding 'deset' to the root digit
Examples include deset (10), dvajset (20), trideset (30), štirideset (40), petdeset (50), šesdeset (60), sedemdeset (70), osemdeset (80), devetdeset (90).
Compound numbers from 21 to 99 are formed by unit + 'in' + ten
For example, 21 is enaindvajset (one and twenty), 22 is dveindvajset, 78 is sedemindvajset, 42 is dvaindštirideset, and 99 is devetindevetdeset.
Hundreds are formed by adding 'sto' to the digit root
Examples include sto (100), dvesto (200), tristo (300), štiristo (400), petsto (500), šeststo (600), sedemsto (700), osemsto (800), devetsto (900).
Thousands are formed with 'tisoč' and the number
For example, tisoč (1,000), dva tisoč (2,000), pet tisoč (5,000). Larger numbers combine these with millions and billions, e.g., dva milijona (2 million).
Unique features
Slovene uses a long scale for large numbers, with 'milijon' (million), 'milijarda' (billion), 'bilijon' (trillion). For example, 1,000,000 is milijon, 1,000,000,000 is milijarda.
Unlike English, where 'two million' is straightforward, Slovene says 'dva milijona' with the genitive plural form, showing grammatical gender and case.
Numbers like 21 (enaindvajset) reverse the order of units and tens, similar to other Slavic languages, which can be counter-intuitive for English speakers.
The word for 100, sto, is a root used in forming hundreds, but larger numbers like 1,000 (tisoč) are borrowed from Latin roots, reflecting historical influences.
Slovene distinguishes gender in the word for two: dve (feminine) and dva (masculine), affecting how numbers are used with nouns.
Cultural context
Slovene is spoken mainly in Slovenia, a country with a rich cultural heritage, including alpine landscapes, medieval towns, and a vibrant literary scene. Numbers appear in daily life, from pricing in markets to traditional events. The long scale naming system reflects a historical fascination with large numbers, often used in scientific and economic contexts. Certain numbers, like 13, may have superstitions, but generally, Slovene culture values precision in counting. The language's unique number formations also appear in folklore, poetry, and official documents, emphasizing its cultural significance.
Fun facts
The number 16 is šestnajst, literally 'sixteen', showcasing the pattern of adding 'najst' to the root, similar to other Slavic languages.
Compared to English, Slovene's 'dvajset' for 20 and 'dvajset' for 20 is a vigesimal pattern, but it is primarily decimal for 1-99, making it a mixed system.
The word 'milijon' is borrowed from Latin, but Slovene adds the suffix '-ov' in genitive plural form, e.g., 'milijonov'.
Historically, the long scale used in Slovene for large numbers aligns with many European languages, but the specific suffixes like '-ijon' and '-ijarda' are distinctive.
Slovene handles very large numbers by combining the basic units with the long scale terms, such as 'bilijon' for trillion, showing a systematic approach to naming.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Slovene?
The numbers are ena (1), dve (2), tri (3), štiri (4), pet (5), šest (6), sedem (7), osem (8), devet (9), deset (10).
What number base does Slovene use?
Slovene uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the formation of numbers like deset (10), dvajset (20), and the pattern of combining units and tens.
How do you say 42 in Slovene?
42 is dva in (and) štirideset, constructed as dva (2) + in + štirideset (40).
How do you say 100 in Slovene?
The word for 100 is sto, and larger hundreds are formed as dvesto (200), tristo (300), etc.
How many people speak Slovene?
Approximately 2.5 million people speak Slovene, mainly in Slovenia.
Is Slovene related to other languages?
Yes, Slovene is part of the South Slavic branch of the Indo-European language family, related to Croatian, Serbian, and Bulgarian.
What makes Slovene counting unique?
Its use of the long scale for large numbers, the gendered forms for two (dva/dve), and the reversed order in compound numbers like enaindvajset make it distinctive.
Sources
- A Short Reference Grammar of Standard Slovene, by Marc L. Greenberg, 2006 (.pdf)