Counting in Hindi: A Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever been intrigued by the beauty of the Hindi language and wanted to learn how to count in this ancient and melodious tongue? Counting in Hindi can be a fun and rewarding experience, whether you are planning a trip to India, interested in the culture, or simply looking to expand your linguistic skills. In this guide, we will take you through the basics of counting in Hindi, from numbers one to one hundred, as well as introduce you to some common counting patterns and rules. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Basics of Counting in Hindi

The Hindi Number System:

The Hindi number system is decimal-based, much like English, with numbers 0 to 9 forming the base of all other numbers. Learning these basic numbers is essential to understanding the rest of the counting system in Hindi.

Numbers 1 to 10:

• एक (ek) – One
• दो (do) – Two
• तीन (teen) – Three
• चार (chaar) – Four
• पाँच (paanch) – Five
• छह (chhah) – Six
• सात (saat) – Seven
• आठ (aath) – Eight
• नौ (nau) – Nine
• दस (das) – Ten

Numbers 11 to 20:

In Hindi, numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by combining the digits of the unit’s place with the word for ten (दस – das) suffixed with the word for the unit’s place.
– ग्यारह (gyaarah) – Eleven
– बारह (baarah) – Twelve
– तेरह (terah) – Thirteen
– चौदह (chaudah) – Fourteen
– पंद्रह (pandrah) – Fifteen
– सोलह (solah) – Sixteen
– सत्रह (satrah) – Seventeen
– अठारह (atharah) – Eighteen
– उन्नीस (unnis) – Nineteen
– बीस (bees) – Twenty

Counting by Tens:

• इक्कीस (ikkees) – Twenty-one
• बाईस (baaees) – Twenty-two
• तेईस (teees) – Twenty-three
• चौभीस (chaubees) – Twenty-four
• पच्चीस (pachchees) – Twenty-five
• छब्बीस (chhabbees) – Twenty-six
• सत्ताईस (sattaais) – Twenty-seven
• अट्ठाईस (atthaais) – Twenty-eight
• उनतीस (unntees) – Twenty-nine
• तीस (tees) – Thirty

The Pattern Continues:

As you progress beyond तीस (tees), you will notice a pattern in Hindi counting by tens. The word for the number of tens (e.g., तीस for thirty, चालीस for forty, etc.) is followed by the unit’s place. For example:
– चालीस (chaalis) – Forty
– पचास (pachaas) – Fifty
– साठ (saath) – Sixty
– सत्तर (sattar) – Seventy
– अस्सी (assi) – Eighty
– नब्बे (nabbe) – Ninety

Counting in Hundreds:

• एक सौ (ek sau) – One hundred
• दो सौ (do sau) – Two hundred
• तीन सौ (teen sau) – Three hundred
• Continuing this pattern, you can count by hundreds.

Advanced Counting:

• हज़ार (hazaar) – Thousand
• दस हज़ार (das hazaar) – Ten thousand
• लाख (lakh) – Hundred thousand (One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand)
• दस लाख (das lakh) – One million (Ten lakhs)

Some Common Hindi Counting Rules:

Gender Sensitivity:

In Hindi, numbers can be masculine, feminine, or neuter based on the noun they refer to. For example:
– Ek (one) is masculine
– Ek (one) changes to Ek (feminine) before feminine nouns
– Ek (one) changes to Ek (neuter) before neuter nouns

Plurals:

• Plural markers are not used with numbers in Hindi. The same numeral form is used for both singular and plural nouns.
• For example, दस (das) can mean “ten” or “tens,” depending on the context.

Ordinal Numbers:

• Ordinal numbers are formed by adding वां (wa) to the cardinal number. For example:
• पहला (pahla) – First
• दूसरा (doosra) – Second
• तीसरा (teesra) – Third

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is counting in Hindi difficult for beginners?

A1: Counting in Hindi can be challenging at first, especially with gender sensitivity and ordinal numbers. However, with practice and repetition, you can quickly grasp the basics.

Q2: Are there regional variations in Hindi numbers?

A2: Yes, there may be slight variations in counting in different regions of India, but the standard Hindi numbers are widely understood across the country.

Q3: How are larger numbers expressed in Hindi?

A3: Larger numbers in Hindi follow a logical pattern of grouping in tens, hundreds, thousands, and beyond, similar to English.

Q4: Can I use Hindi numbers in day-to-day conversations?

A4: Absolutely! Using Hindi numbers in daily interactions can enhance your language skills and make you feel more connected to Indian culture.

Q5: Are there any online resources to practice Hindi counting?

A5: Yes, there are numerous websites and apps available that offer interactive lessons and quizzes to help you practice counting in Hindi.

As you navigate the rich tapestry of the Hindi language, mastering the art of counting in Hindi will not only enhance your linguistic abilities but also deepen your appreciation for this beautiful language. So, practice diligently, pay attention to the nuances, and soon you’ll find yourself effortlessly counting in Hindi like a pro. Jai Hind!