Numbers in Yiddish
יידיש
Numbers in Yiddish follow a primarily decimal system with some unique formations for numbers from 13 to 19 and compound numbers. Spoken mainly by Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Ukraine, Israel, and the United States, Yiddish has about 2 million speakers today. Its counting system combines Germanic roots with influences from Hebrew and Slavic languages, making it distinctive. The language's number words often follow specific patterns, especially in forming compound numbers like 54 (fir un fuftsik) or 98 (אכט און נײַנציק). Understanding these patterns reveals the rich linguistic history embedded in everyday counting in Yiddish.
Number system
Yiddish counting is primarily decimal, with numbers 1-12 having unique words: eyns (1), tsvey (2), dray (3), fir (4), finf (5), zeks (6), zibn (7), akht (8), nayn (9), tsen (10), elf (11), tsvelf (12). Numbers 13-19 are formed by adding 'tsn' to the unit: draytsn (13), fertsn (14), fuftsn (15), zekhtsn (16), zibetsn (17), akhtsn (18), nayntsn (19). Tens are formed by adding 'tsik' to the digit: tsvantsik (20), draysik (30), fertsik (40), fuftsik (50), zekhtsik (60), zibetsik (70), akhtsik (80), nayntsik (90). Compound numbers like 54 are formed by placing the unit before the ten with 'un' (and): fir un fuftsik (54). Hundreds are formed by combining the multiplier with 'hundert': tsvey hundert (200), dray hundert (300). Thousands are formed similarly: toyznt (1000), tsvey toyznt (2000). Large scale numbers like million are borrowed: milyon.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Numbers 1-12 are unique words
Numbers from 0 to 12 have specific words: nul (0), eyns (1), tsvey (2), dray (3), fir (4), finf (5), zeks (6), zibn (7), akht (8), nayn (9), tsen (10), elf (11), tsvelf (12). These form the basis for all other numbers.
Numbers 13-19 are formed by adding 'tsn' to the units
For example, 13 is draytsn (דרײַצן), 14 is fertsn (פערצן), 15 is fuftsn (פופצן), 16 is zekhtsn (זעכצן), 17 is zibetsn (זיבעצן), 18 is akhtsn (אַכצן), and 19 is nayntsn (נײַנצן).
Tens are formed by adding 'tsik' to the digit
For example, 20 is tsvantsik (צוואַנציק), 30 is draysik (דרײַסיק), 40 is fertsik (פערציק), 50 is fuftsik (פופציק), 60 is zekhtsik (זעכציק), 70 is zibetsik (זיבעציק), 80 is akhtsik (אַכציק), 90 is nayntsik (נײַנציק).
Compound numbers are formed with 'un' (and) between units and tens
Numbers like 54 are fir un fuftsik (פֿיר און פופציק), and 98 is akht un nayntsik (אכט און נײַנציק). The unit is said before the ten, connected with 'un'.
Hundreds are formed by combining the multiplier with 'hundert'
For example, 200 is tsvey hundert (צװײ הונדערט), 300 is dray hundert (דרײַ הונדערט), and 900 is nayn hundert (הונדערט נײַן). One hundred is simply hundert (הונדערט).
Thousands are formed similarly with 'toyznt'
For example, 1,000 is toyznt (טויזנט), 2,000 is tsvey toyznt (צװײ טויזנט), and 9,000 is nayn toyznt (טויזנט נײַן).
Unique features
Numbers 13-19 are formed by adding 'tsn' to the unit, e.g., draytsn (13) and fertsn (14).
Compound numbers like 54 (fir un fuftsik) are built with the unit before the ten, connected by 'un'.
The word for 100 is 'hundert', but 200 is 'tsvey hundert', showing regular multiplication.
Large numbers like million are borrowed directly from Hebrew/English: milyon (מיליאָן).
Yiddish uses the Hebrew alphabet for writing, but the number words are primarily Germanic in origin.
Cultural context
Yiddish is spoken mainly by Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Ukraine, Israel, and the United States. Its numbers appear in daily life, religious texts, and cultural traditions. The language reflects a rich history of migration, with numbers often used in trade, religious calculations, and storytelling. While there are no specific taboo or lucky numbers in the data provided, the use of Hebrew-influenced large scale numbers like milyon highlights the cultural blending. Numbers like 18 (akhtsn) and 19 (nayntsn) may carry cultural significance due to their roots in Jewish tradition, but this is more contextual than explicit in counting.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 18 is akhtsn, which resembles the Hebrew word 'chai' (life), making it culturally significant.
Fact 2: Unlike English, Yiddish forms numbers 13-19 by adding 'tsn' to the units, e.g., fertsn (14).
Fact 3: The formation of compound numbers like 78 (zibn un akhtsik) shows a clear pattern of combining unit and ten with 'un'.
Fact 4: The borrowing of large scale numbers such as 'milyon' from Hebrew or English reflects historical contact and cultural exchange.
Fact 5: The number system is primarily decimal, but the specific words for 13-19 are unique, showing a mix of Germanic and Semitic influences.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Yiddish?
1 - eyns (אײנס), 2 - tsvey (צװײ), 3 - dray (דרײַ), 4 - fir (פֿיר), 5 - finf (פֿינף), 6 - zeks (זעקס), 7 - zibn (זיבן), 8 - akht (אכט), 9 - nayn (נײַן), 10 - tsen (צען).
What number base does Yiddish use?
Yiddish uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the formation of numbers like 20 (tsvantsik), 30 (draysik), and 100 (hundert). The pattern of adding 'tsik' for tens and combining units with 'un' for compound numbers confirms this.
How do you say 42 in Yiddish?
42 is formed as 'fir un fuftsik' — the unit 4 (fir) before the ten 40 (fertsik), joined with 'un' (and).
How do you say 100 in Yiddish?
The word for 100 is 'hundert'. For 200, it's 'tsvey hundert' (two hundred), showing multiplication pattern.
How many people speak Yiddish?
Approximately 2 million speakers, mainly in Ukraine, Israel, and the United States.
Is Yiddish related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family, closely related to German, with influence from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Slavic languages.
What makes Yiddish counting unique?
The formation of numbers 13-19 by adding 'tsn' to units and the way compound numbers are built with 'un' (and) before the ten are distinctive features.