Hindi numbers are deceptively simple once you get past the mental block of 'wait, how do I say 37 again?' This guide cuts the fluff and gives you the numbers, their pronunciation, and some context so you don’t sound like a confused tourist haggling over rupees.
The Basics: 1 to 10
Let’s start with the foundation. If you can count to 10, you’re already halfway to not embarrassing yourself at a market.
| Number | Hindi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | एक | ek |
| 2 | दो | do |
| 3 | तीन | tīn |
| 4 | चार | chār |
| 5 | पाँच | pā̃ch |
| 6 | छह | chah |
| 7 | सात | sāt |
| 8 | आठ | āṭh |
| 9 | नौ | nau |
| 10 | दस | das |
11 to 20: The Teen Rebellion Phase
Teens in Hindi are straightforward. Just add 'gyarah', 'barah', etc., to the end of 'dus' (10). No rebellious phases here.
- 11: ग्यारह (gyārah)
- 12: बारह (bārah)
- 13: तेरह (tērah)
- 14: चौदह (chaudah)
- 15: पंद्रह (pandrah)
- 16: सोलह (solah)
- 17: सत्रह (satrah)
- 18: अठारह (aṭhārah)
- 19: उन्नीस (unnīs)
- 20: बीस (bīs)
Notice how 18 (अठारह) is just 8 (आठ) with extra steps? Hindi numbers love recycling.
21 to 50: The 'Now You’re Just Showing Off' Range
Once you hit 20, it’s all about combining words. For example, 21 is 'bis ek' (20 + 1), 35 is 'paintis' (30 + 5), and so on. Here’s the cheat sheet:
- 21: इक्कीस (ikkīs)
- 22: बाईस (bāīs)
- 23: तेईस (tēīs)
- 24: चौबीस (chaubīs)
- 25: पच्चीस (pachchīs)
- 30: तीस (tīs)
- 35: पैंतीस (paintīs)
- 40: चालीस (chālīs)
- 45: पैंतालीस (paintālīs)
- 50: पचास (pachās)
पचास
/pə.t͡ʃɑːs/“Fifty”
Why Bother Learning Hindi Numbers?
Aside from impressing your Hindi-speaking friends, numbers are crucial for:
- Haggling in markets (always start low)
- Telling time (because 'adha teen' means 2:30, not 'half three' like in British English)
- Reading prices (so you don’t accidentally pay ₹500 for a ₹50 samosa)
- Ordering food (like in this guide on basic Hindi phrases)
Practice Makes Less Confusion
Try counting your steps in Hindi, or read license plates aloud. If you’re feeling ambitious, challenge yourself to say the numbers backward. (Good luck with 49 to 30.)
And if you mess up? Most Hindi speakers will just laugh and correct you. Probably while offering chai.
