Numbers in Tahitian
Reo Tahiti
Numbers in Tahitian follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, which is common among Polynesian languages. Spoken mainly in French Polynesia, especially on Tahiti, it has approximately 125,000 speakers. The counting system is unique because it combines multiples of twenty with additive patterns for numbers below twenty. For example, 12 is ’ahuru ma piti’ (10 and 2), and 25 is piti ’ahuru ma pae’ (2 times 20 plus 5). This system reflects the cultural importance of the number twenty in Tahitian society. Understanding the numbers in Tahitian provides insight into their language structure and cultural worldview.
Number system
Tahitian counting is primarily vigesimal, meaning it uses twenty as a base. Numbers from 1 to 9 have unique words: ho’e (1), piti (2), toru (3), maha (4), pae (5), ono (6), hitu (7), va’u (8), iva (9). The number 10 is ’ahuru, and multiples of twenty are formed by placing the digit before ’ahuru, such as piti ’ahuru for 20 (2×20). Compound numbers are formed by linking the digit with ’ahuru’ using ’ma’ (and), e.g., ’ahuru ma piti’ for 12 (10 + 2). For example, 25 is piti ’ahuru ma pae’ (2×20 + 5), and 42 is toru ’ahuru ma maha’ (3×20 + 4). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before hanere (100), e.g., piti hanere for 200, and thousands by placing the digit before tautini, e.g., piti tautini for 2000. Large numbers like one million are expressed as mirioni, and one billion as miria.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting from 1 to 9
Numbers 1 to 9 have unique words: ho’e (1), piti (2), toru (3), maha (4), pae (5), ono (6), hitu (7), va’u (8), iva (9). For example, 3 is toru, 7 is hitu, and 9 is iva. These words are used directly in compound numbers and for forming larger units.
Forming the number 10 and multiples of 10
10 is ’ahuru. Numbers like 20, 30, etc., are formed by placing the digit before ’ahuru with ’ma’ (and): piti ’ahuru’ (20), toru ’ahuru’ (30), maha ’ahuru’ (40). For example, 25 is piti ’ahuru ma pae’ (2×20 + 5).
Constructing compound numbers below 100
Numbers like 12, 15, 17, 19 are formed by linking the units with ’ma’ (and) to ’ahuru’: ’ahuru ma piti’ (12), ’ahuru ma pae’ (15), ’ahuru ma hitu’ (17), ’ahuru ma iva’ (19). For example, 18 is ’ahuru ma va’u’ (10 + 8).
Forming hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before hanere (100): hanere (100), piti hanere (200), toru hanere (300), maha hanere (400). For example, 600 is ono hanere, and 900 is iva hanere.
Forming thousands
Thousands are formed similarly by placing the digit before tautini (1,000): tautini (1,000), piti tautini (2,000), toru tautini (3,000). For example, 4,000 is maha tautini, and 6,000 is ono tautini.
Unique features
The use of ’ma’ (and) to connect units and tens, as in ’ahuru ma piti’ (12), is distinctive and reflects Polynesian additive patterns.
Unlike many languages that use a decimal system, Tahitian employs vigesimal counting, similar to French and other Polynesian languages.
The pattern of forming numbers like 25 ('piti ’ahuru ma pae') shows a clear base-20 structure with additive components, which can be counter-intuitive for speakers of decimal-based languages.
Large numbers like one million ('mirioni') and one billion ('miria') are borrowed from English, showing cultural and linguistic contact.
The word for 100, 'hanere,' is derived from the English 'hundred,' indicating historical influence.
Cultural context
The Tahitian people primarily inhabit the Society Islands in French Polynesia, with Tahiti being the most prominent. Their culture emphasizes community, navigation, and oral traditions. Numbers appear in daily life, trade, and rituals, often linked to navigation and land division. The number twenty ('piti') holds cultural significance, symbolizing completeness and abundance. Tahitian society values harmony, and their counting system reflects their worldview—combining additive and multiplicative patterns. While no specific taboo numbers are documented, the use of large numbers like 'mirioni' and 'miria' highlights their engagement with concepts of scale and cosmology in traditional stories.
Fun facts
The number 12 is ’ahuru ma piti’, literally '10 and 2,' illustrating the additive vigesimal pattern.
Compared to English, which is decimal, Tahitian’s vigesimal system resembles French’s historical counting before decimal standardization.
The formation of 25 ('piti ’ahuru ma pae') demonstrates how Tahitian combines multiplication and addition seamlessly.
Historically, Tahitian navigators used their counting system to measure distances and land divisions, emphasizing practical applications.
Despite its small vocabulary, Tahitian can express extremely large numbers like 'mirioni' and 'miria,' showing linguistic adaptability.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Tahitian?
1 - ho’e, 2 - piti, 3 - toru, 4 - maha, 5 - pae, 6 - ono, 7 - hitu, 8 - va’u, 9 - iva, 10 - ’ahuru.
What number base does Tahitian use?
Tahitian uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by numbers like piti ’ahuru (20), toru ’ahuru (30), and compound forms like piti ’ahuru ma pae (25).
How do you say 42 in Tahitian?
42 is toru ’ahuru ma maha, meaning 3×20 + 4, formed by 'toru ’ahuru' (60) plus 'ma maha' (and 4).
How do you say 100 in Tahitian?
100 is hanere. Larger hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before hanere, e.g., piti hanere for 200.
How many people speak Tahitian?
Approximately 125,000 speakers, mainly in French Polynesia, especially on Tahiti.
Is Tahitian related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Austronesian family, specifically the Eastern Polynesian branch, closely related to other Polynesian languages.
What makes Tahitian counting unique?
Its vigesimal system and the use of additive patterns like ’ahuru ma piti’ for 12 make it distinctive among world languages.
Sources
- Le tahitien de poche, by Louise Peltzer, editors Assimil (2009) (in French)