Turkish numbers are straightforward if you’re not overcomplicating them. This guide cuts the crap and gives you what you need: numbers, rules, and how to use them.
Turkish Numbers 1-10
Start with the basics. Here’s 1-10. Memorise these first - everything else builds on them.
| Number | Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | bir | /biɾ/ |
| 2 | iki | /ici/ |
| 3 | üç | /ytʃ/ |
| 4 | dört | /dœɾt/ |
| 5 | beş | /beʃ/ |
| 6 | altı | /aɫtɯ/ |
| 7 | yedi | /jedi/ |
| 8 | sekiz | /sekiz/ |
| 9 | dokuz | /dokuz/ |
| 10 | on | /on/ |
Numbers 11-100
From 11 onwards, Turkish numbers follow a logical pattern. No irregular nonsense like French or German.
Rule: For numbers 11-99, say the tens digit first, then the unit. No “and” like in English. Just “on bir” (11), not “ten and one”.
| Number | Turkish |
|---|---|
| 11 | on bir |
| 20 | yirmi |
| 30 | otuz |
| 40 | kırk |
| 50 | elli |
| 60 | altmış |
| 70 | yetmiş |
| 80 | seksen |
| 90 | doksan |
| 100 | yüz |
Beyond 100
Big numbers? Same logic. “Yüz bir” (101), “iki yüz” (200), “bin” (1000). No surprises.
bin
/ˈbin/“thousand”
The word for 1000 in Turkish. Also means “I am” in Arabic, but don’t get confused - context matters.
Practical Uses
Numbers aren’t just for counting. You’ll need them for:
- Prices (e.g., “Bu ne kadar?” – “How much is this?”)
- Time (e.g., “Saat üç” – “3 o’clock”)
- Phone numbers (Turkish numbers are digit-by-digit, like “beş iki üç” for 523)
For more on Turkish basics, check out how to express emotions in Turkish or Turkish music vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Even simple things can trip you up:
- Mispronouncing “üç” (3) – it’s /ytʃ/, not “ook”.
- Forgetting that “dört” (4) has an ö, not a regular o.
- Saying “and” between tens and units (e.g., “yirmi ve bir” for 21 is wrong - just “yirmi bir”).
Final Note
Turkish numbers are easy once you get the pattern. Drill them, use them, and stop overthinking it.
