Numbers in Tok Pisin
Numbers in Tok Pisin follow a primarily decimal system with unique features influenced by pidgin structures. Spoken by about 4 million people in Papua New Guinea, it is one of the country's official languages alongside English and Hiri Motu. The counting system combines straightforward decimal patterns with some irregularities, especially in the formation of numbers beyond ten. Its simplicity and integration of English-derived words make it accessible for learners. The language's counting system reflects both its creole roots and local adaptations, making numbers in Tok Pisin a fascinating example of linguistic blending. Understanding these patterns provides insight into everyday communication, trade, and cultural practices in Papua New Guinea.
Number system
Tok Pisin uses a decimal (base-10) system, where numbers 1-9 have unique words: wan (1), tu (2), tri (3), foa (4), faiv (5), sikis (6), seven (7), et (8), nain (9). Numbers 10, 20, 30, etc., are formed by combining the multiplier with 'pela' and 'ten'. For example, 11 is 'wanpela ten wan', 12 is 'wanpela ten tu', and 13 is 'wanpela ten tri'. Tens are built by placing the multiplier before 'pela ten': 20 is 'tupela ten', 30 is 'tripela ten', 40 is 'fopela ten'. Compound numbers like 42 are 'fopela ten wan' (40 + 2), and 78 is 'sevenpela ten et' (70 + 8). Hundreds are formed by placing the number before 'handet' (hundred): 100 is 'wan handet', 200 is 'tu handet', 300 is 'tri handet'. Thousands follow the same pattern with 'tausen': 1,000 is 'tausen', 2,000 is 'tu tausen'. Larger numbers like one million are 'wan milien'. This system is predominantly decimal, with clear patterns for building numbers through multiplication and addition.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Number words for 1-9
Digits from zero to nine are specific words: 1 is 'wan', 2 is 'tu', 3 is 'tri', 4 is 'foa', 5 is 'faiv', 6 is 'sikis', 7 is 'seven', 8 is 'et', and 9 is 'nain'. These words are used directly in forming larger numbers.
Forming numbers 10-19
Numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by saying 'wanpela ten' plus the digit: 11 is 'wanpela ten wan', 12 is 'wanpela ten tu', 13 is 'wanpela ten tri', and so on up to 19 'wanpela ten nain'.
Tens from 20 to 90
Tens are built by combining the multiplier with 'pela ten': 20 is 'tupela ten', 30 is 'tripela ten', 40 is 'fopela ten', 50 is 'faipela ten', 60 is 'sikispela ten', 70 is 'sevenpela ten', 80 is 'etpela ten', and 90 is 'nainpela ten'.
Constructing compound numbers
Numbers between 21 and 99 are formed by combining the ten with the units: 42 is 'fopela ten wan' (40 + 2), 67 is 'sikispela ten seven' (60 + 7), and 78 is 'sevenpela ten et' (70 + 8). The pattern involves stating the ten first, then the units, with 'pela' indicating multiplication.
Hundreds and thousands
Hundreds are formed by placing the number before 'handet': 100 is 'wan handet', 200 is 'tu handet', 300 is 'tri handet'. For thousands, the pattern is similar with 'tausen': 1,000 is 'tausen', 2,000 is 'tu tausen', and 3,000 is 'tri tausen'. Larger numbers like one million are 'wan milien'.
Large numbers
Large numbers follow a straightforward pattern: 'wan milien' for one million, 'tu tausen' for 2,000, and so forth. The structure remains consistent, making it easy to scale up numbers without complex irregularities.
Unique features
Numbers 6-9 are formed by combining the base words sikis (6), seven (7), et (8), nain (9) with the pattern of tens, e.g., sikispela ten for 60, which shows a clear pattern of combining base words with 'pela' for tens.
Unlike many languages, Tok Pisin uses English-derived words like 'seven' for 7, but maintains a decimal structure with consistent patterns for forming compound numbers.
A surprising pattern is that 10 is 'ten', but 11 is 'wanpela ten wan', combining 'wanpela' (one) with 'ten', showing a blend of English and local structure.
Large numbers like 1,000 and 1,000,000 are formed by combining the base words 'tausen' and 'milien', following the same pattern as smaller numbers, reflecting a straightforward decimal scaling.
The word 'wan' for 1 is borrowed directly from English, but the rest of the system is uniquely adapted, showing a blend of pidgin and local linguistic influences.
Cultural context
Tok Pisin is widely spoken across Papua New Guinea, especially in urban areas and trade centers. It serves as a lingua franca among diverse linguistic groups. Numbers appear frequently in daily transactions, markets, and traditional events. The language's simplicity in counting facilitates commerce and communication. While there are no specific taboo numbers, the use of numbers like 13 or 7 may carry cultural significance in some contexts, similar to other cultures. The language's numerical system reflects its creole roots, blending English influence with local linguistic patterns, making it both practical and culturally rich for the diverse communities of Papua New Guinea.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 6 is 'sikis', which is a unique word not directly derived from English but shows a distinct local adaptation.
Fact 2: Unlike English, where 21 is 'twenty-one', in Tok Pisin, 21 is 'wanpela ten wan', emphasizing the decimal and additive nature of the system.
Fact 3: The pattern of forming numbers like 78 ('sevenpela ten et') demonstrates a clear multiplication and addition structure similar to other decimal systems, but with local words.
Fact 4: Historically, Tok Pisin developed as a pidgin language for trade and communication, which is reflected in its straightforward and regular counting system.
Fact 5: For very large numbers, such as one million ('wan milien'), the system remains consistent, showing the language's capacity to scale numerically without irregularities.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Tok Pisin?
1 - wan, 2 - tu, 3 - tri, 4 - foa, 5 - faiv, 6 - sikis, 7 - seven, 8 - et, 9 - nain, 10 - ten.
What number base does Tok Pisin use?
Tok Pisin uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the formation of numbers like 'wanpela ten wan' (11), 'tupela ten' (20), and 'wan handet' (100).
How do you say 42 in Tok Pisin?
42 is 'fopela ten wan' — 40 ('fopela ten') plus 2 ('wan').
How do you say 100 in Tok Pisin?
100 is 'wan handet', formed by the number 'wan' before 'handet' (hundred).
How many people speak Tok Pisin?
About 4 million people speak Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, making it a widely used lingua franca.
Is Tok Pisin related to other languages?
Yes, it is an English creole language, part of the Melanesian Pidgin family, with influences from English and local languages.
What makes Tok Pisin counting unique?
Its use of English words like 'seven' for 7 alongside a primarily decimal system with consistent patterns for forming compound numbers makes it distinctive.