Numbers and Counting in Kiswahili

 

Introduction to Numbers and Counting in Kiswahili

Learn how to count in Kiswahili.

0	Sufuri/sifuri
1	Moja
2	Mbili
3	Tatu
4	Nne
5	Tano
6	Sita
7	Saba
8	Nane
9	Tisa
10	Kumi
20	Ishirini
30	Thelathini
40	Arobaini
50	Hamsini
60	Sitini
70	Sabini
80	Themanini
90	Tisini
100	Mia moja
1,000	Elfu moja
100,000	Laki moja
1,000,000	Millioni moja

 

The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 in Kiswahili are like adjectives. So, when using them, you must attach the proper adjective prefix.

Kwa mfano [for example]:

●     Mtu mmoja - One person

●     Kiatu kimoja - One shoe

 

Mbili [2] as an exception: When attaching an adjective prefix to mbili, the stem changes to wili.

Kwa mfano:

●     Mikoba miwili - Two bags

●     Matunda mawili - Two fruits

 

For the other numbers, the stem does not change when used as an adjective.

Kwa mfano:

●     Watoto watatu - Three children

●     Miti minne - Four trees

●     Wanafunzi watano - Five students

●     Vitu vinane - Eight things

 

Composite Numbers

When it comes to composite numbers you should pronounce every place [ones, tens, hundred, etc.] clearly with a ‘na’[and] before the one’s place or the last place in use.

This same rule applies to multiple thousands, hundred thousand, millions, etc.

Kwa mfano:

35-Thelathini na tano

1000- Elfu moja [one thousand]

15,000- Elfu kumi na tano [fifteen thousand]

450,000- Laki nne na hamsini [four hundred and fifty thousand]

10,000,000- Milioni kumi [ten million]

 

When it comes to multiple hundreds they are pronounced in the following way:

●     100- Mia moja [hundred one]

●     500- Mia tano [hundred five]

For more mixed numbers, all the above rules are combined.

 

Mifano zaidi

●     355- Mia tatu hamsini na tano [three hundred and fifty-five]

●     2,262- Elfu mbili miambili sitini na mbili [two thousand two hundred and sixty-two]

●     16,345- Elfu kumi na sita mia tatu arobaini na tano [sixteen thousand three hundred and forty-five]

●     320,847- Laki tatu elfu ishirini mia nane arobaini na saba [three hundred and twenty                  thousand eight hundred and forty-seven]

 

Numbers and Noun Classes

M-WA	m-	Mtu mmoja	[one person]
	wa-	Watu wawili	[two people]
M-MI	m-	Mti mmoja	[one tree]
	mi-	Miti mitatu	[three trees]
JI-MA	No prefix	Jino moja	[one tooth]
	ma-	Meno manne	[four teeth]
KI-VI	ki-	Kiatu kimoja	[one shoe]
	vi-	Viatu vitano	[five shoes]
N	No prefix	Nyumba moja	[one house]
	No prefix	Nyumba tatu	[three houses]
U	No prefix	Ukuta mmoja	[one wall]
	No prefix	Kuta mbili	[two walls]

Practice Exercise A

Write the following numbers in Kiswahili.

a.                 15

b.                26

c.                 29

d.                38

e.                 47

f.                  55

g.                61

h.                72

i.                   88

j.                   92

 

Practice Exercise B

Translate the following sentences Kiswahili

a.                 Five cars

b.                Three heads

c.                 Eight workers

d.                A hundred books 

e.                 Ninety-eight houses

f.                  Thirty-four friends

       

       Practice Exercise C

Write these numbers in Swahili.

a.                 899

b.                5,978

c.                 132

d.                642

e.                 67,000

f.                  544

g.                1,220

h.                794

i.                   885