Language/Indonesian/Vocabulary/Count-to-10
Hi Indonesian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to count to 10 in Indonesian. Learning numbers is an important part of Indonesian vocabulary. By the end of this lesson, you will also learn interesting cultural facts related to the numbers in Indonesia. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below. Enjoy the lesson!
Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Parts of the Body, Fruits, Birthday & Camping.
Basic numbers[edit | edit source]
Let's start with the basics, here is a table with the numbers 1 to 10 in Indonesian, how to pronounce them, and their English translation:
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| satu | 'sa-tu' | one |
| dua | 'du-a' | two |
| tiga | 'ti-ga' | three |
| empat | 'em-pat' | four |
| lima | 'li-ma' | five |
| enam | 'e-nam' | six |
| tujuh | 'tu-juk' | seven |
| delapan | 'del-a-pan' | eight |
| sembilan | 'sem-bi-lan' | nine |
| sepuluh | 'se-pu-luh' | ten |
It's important to note that all numbers, except for satu (one) and dua (two), are pronounced like their first syllable. Therefore, tiga (three) is pronounced "ti-" and not "ti-ga". Easy right?
Here is an example to show you how to use numbers in context:
- Person 1: Tolong berikan saya satu buah apel. ('Can you give me one apple.')
- Person 2: Tentu, ini dua buah apel. ('Of course, here are two apples.')
As you can see, once you learn the numbers, it will be easy to use them in everyday conversations!
Cultural facts[edit | edit source]
In Indonesian culture, numbers have a lot of significance. They may represent an idea, a belief, or a superstition. Here are some interesting cultural facts regarding the numbers 1 to 10:
Number 1[edit | edit source]
In Indonesia, number 1 is often associated with leadership, power, and ambition. The word for one, 'satu', is also used to describe someone who is single or alone.
Number 2[edit | edit source]
Number 2 represents balance and harmony in Indonesian culture. The word for two, 'dua', is also used to refer to a pair or couple.
Number 3[edit | edit source]
Three is considered a mystical number in Indonesian culture. It is believed to represent stability and balance between heaven, earth, and human beings. You may notice the number three being used in many traditional Indonesian ceremonies.
Number 4[edit | edit source]
In Indonesia, number 4 is often associated with bad luck or death. The word for four, 'empat', sounds similar to the word for death, 'mati'. Therefore, many Indonesian people avoid using the number 4 in their daily lives.
Number 5[edit | edit source]
Number 5 represents the five pillars of Islam in Indonesian culture. It is also associated with power and strength.
Number 6[edit | edit source]
Similar to number 3, six is considered a mystical number in Indonesian culture. It is often associated with balance and prosperity.
Number 7[edit | edit source]
Seven is believed to bring luck and fortune in Indonesian culture. It is often associated with completeness and perfection.
Number 8[edit | edit source]
In Indonesia, number 8 is often associated with wealth, success, and prosperity. The word for eight, 'delapan', sounds similar to the word for 'to prosper', 'lapan'.
Number 9[edit | edit source]
Similar to number 4, nine is often associated with bad luck or death. The word for nine, 'sembilan', sounds similar to the word for 'to die', 'mati'.
Number 10[edit | edit source]
The number 10 represents the complete cycle of life. It is often used to describe a perfect ending or completion.
Summary[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we learned the numbers 1 to 10 in Indonesian, how to use them, and also interesting cultural facts related to each number. Remember, to improve your Indonesian Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Indonesian Numbers: How to Count in Indonesian
- How To Count To 100 In Indonesian
- Learn Indonesian - Lesson 3: Numbers (1-10) | L-Lingo
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Videos[edit | edit source]
Learn Indonesian | Counting Numbers in Indonesian - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Birthday
- Camping
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Parts of the Body
- How to say Good Bye?
- Problems in Indonesian
- Fruits
- Environment
- Greetings
- People in Indonesian