Numbers in Yakut
саха тыла
Numbers in Yakut follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, which is common among many Siberian and Turkic languages. Spoken by about 450,000 people primarily in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Yakut is a Turkic language with a rich cultural history. Its counting system is unique because it combines decimal and vigesimal elements, making it both complex and fascinating. For example, 20 is 'сүүрбэ', 30 is 'отут', and 42 is constructed as 'отут икки' (30 + 2). Understanding the numbers in Yakut provides insight into their culture, trade, and daily life, where precise counting plays a vital role in traditional practices and storytelling.
Number system
Yakut uses a vigesimal system, where numbers are built around multiples of twenty. The numbers 1-9 have unique words: биир (1), икки (2), үс (3), түөрт (4), биэс (5), алта (6), сэттэ (7), аҕыс (8), тоҕус (9). Tens are formed by combining the multiplier digit with the word for ten: уон (10), сүүрбэ (20), отут (30), and so on. For example, 32 is 'отут икки' (30 + 2), and 71 is 'сэттэ уон биир' (70 + 1). Hundreds are formed by stating the digit followed by 'сүүс' (100), e.g., 'икки сүүс' (200). Larger numbers like thousands are built similarly, with the multiplier followed by 'тыһынча' (thousand). Compound numbers up to 99 are formed by combining the tens and units, such as 'сэттэ уон биир' (71).
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Number words from zero to nine
Digits 0-9 are specific words: нуул [0], биир [1], икки [2], үс [3], түөрт [4], биэс [5], алта [6], сэттэ [7], аҕыс [8], тоҕус [9]. For example, 3 is үс, and 7 is сэттэ.
Forming tens
Tens are formed by combining the multiplier digit with the word for ten: уон [10], сүүрбэ [20], отут [30], түөрт уон [40], биэс уон [50], алта уон [60], сэттэ уон [70], аҕыс уон [80], тоҕус уон [90]. For example, 20 is 'сүүрбэ', and 70 is 'сэттэ уон'.
Building compound numbers up to 99
Numbers like 32 are formed by stating the tens first, then the units: 'отут икки' (30 + 2). For 71, it's 'сэттэ уон биир' (70 + 1). Similarly, 78 is 'сэттэ уон аҕыс' (70 + 8).
Hundreds
Hundreds are created by stating the digit followed by 'сүүс' (100). For example, 200 is 'икки сүүс', 300 is 'үс сүүс', and 900 is 'тоҕус сүүс'. One hundred alone is 'сүүс'.
Thousands
Thousands are formed by the digit followed by 'тыһынча' (thousand). For example, 1,000 is 'тыһынча', 2,000 is 'икки тыһынча', and 9,000 is 'тоҕус тыһынча'.
Large numbers
Yakut uses a short scale for large numbers: a million is 'мөлүйүөн', billion is 'мыйыллыйаар', and trillion is 'туруллуйуон'. Each term is a thousand times larger than the previous, following the pattern of the short scale.
Unique features
Yakut's counting system is vigesimal, with 20 as a key multiplier, unlike the decimal systems of many languages. For example, 20 is 'сүүрбэ', and 40 is 'түөрт уон'.
The formation of compound numbers like 71 ('сэттэ уон биир') combines the tens and units in a way similar to French or Basque, but with unique Turkic words.
Numbers 6-9 are formed by adding to the base 5: 6 is 'алта', 7 is 'сэттэ', 8 is 'аҕыс', and 9 is 'тоҕус', showing a quinary influence within the vigesimal system.
Large numbers like a billion ('мыйыллыйаар') are built with specific terms, reflecting the short scale, which is different from some other Turkic languages that may use long scale.
The word for 100, 'сүүс', is used as a base for hundreds, but the number 100 itself is not a compound, highlighting a unique linguistic feature in number formation.
Cultural context
The Yakut people inhabit the vast, cold regions of the Sakha Republic in Russia, where traditional practices like reindeer herding, hunting, and fishing are vital. Numbers in Yakut are essential in trade, storytelling, and rituals, often linked to seasonal cycles and spiritual beliefs. For example, the number 7 ('сэттэ') is considered lucky in some contexts, while 13 is avoided in certain traditions. Counting plays a crucial role in marking time, land division, and ceremonial events. The language's numerals reflect their environment and history, blending Turkic roots with Siberian influences. Large numbers are used in describing land areas and resource quantities, emphasizing their importance in daily life and cultural identity.
Fun facts
The number 20, 'сүүрбэ', is a central element in the vigesimal system, similar to how French uses 'quatre-vingt' for 80.
Unlike many languages that are purely decimal, Yakut combines decimal and vigesimal elements, making its counting system more complex and unique.
The formation of numbers like 42 ('отут икки') shows how the language combines tens and units in a straightforward way, yet with distinct vocabulary.
Historically, the Yakut language has preserved these traditional counting methods despite Russian influence, maintaining a strong cultural identity.
Large numbers like 'мөлүйүөн' (million) are borrowed terms adapted into the Turkic structure, showing how modern concepts integrate into traditional systems.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Yakut?
1 - биир, 2 - икки, 3 - үс, 4 - түөрт, 5 - биэс, 6 - алта, 7 - сэттэ, 8 - аҕыс, 9 - тоҕус, 10 - уон.
What number base does Yakut use?
Yakut uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by 20 'сүүрбэ', 40 'түөрт уон', and 80 'аҕыс уон'. Numbers like 32 are formed as 'отут икки' (30 + 2).
How do you say 42 in Yakut?
42 is 'отут икки', formed by combining 'отут' (30) and 'икки' (2).
How do you say 100 in Yakut?
100 is 'сүүс'. Larger hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit with 'сүүс', e.g., 200 is 'икки сүүс'.
How many people speak Yakut?
Approximately 450,000 people speak Yakut, primarily in the Sakha Republic in Russia.
Is Yakut related to other languages?
Yes, Yakut belongs to the Turkic language family, specifically the Siberian Turkic branch, related to other Turkic languages but with unique Siberian influences.
What makes Yakut counting unique?
Its vigesimal system, combining decimal and base-20 elements, and the way it forms compound numbers like 71 ('сэттэ уон биир') make it distinctive among Turkic languages.
Sources
- Yakut transliteration