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<div class="pg_page_title">Swahili (individual language) Vocabulary → Numbers and Counting</div>
Welcome to the lesson on '''Numbers and Counting''' in Swahili! This topic is essential because numbers are the building blocks of communication, helping you in everyday situations such as shopping, telling time, and even making friends. Understanding how to count and use numbers will give you a solid foundation as you continue your journey in learning Swahili.


<div class="pg_page_title">Swahili (individual language) Vocabulary → Greetings and Introductions → Numbers and Counting</div>
In this lesson, we will cover the following:


__TOC__
__TOC__


==Master Swahili Numbers and Counting==
=== Cardinal Numbers ===
 
==== Introduction to Cardinal Numbers ====
 
Cardinal numbers are used for counting. They allow us to quantify nouns and express how many items we are referring to. In Swahili, cardinal numbers play a crucial role as they are used in various contexts, from simple counting to describing quantities in conversations.
 
Here is a breakdown of some basic cardinal numbers in Swahili:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| moja || /ˈmɔdʒa/ || one
 
|-
 
| mbili || /ˈmbili/ || two
 
|-
 
| tatu || /ˈtatu/ || three
 
|-
 
| nne || /ˈnːe/ || four
 
|-
 
| tano || /ˈtano/ || five
 
|-
 
| sita || /ˈsita/ || six
 
|-
 
| saba || /ˈsaba/ || seven
 
|-
 
| nane || /ˈnane/ || eight
 
|-
 
| tisa || /ˈtisa/ || nine
 
|-
 
| kumi || /ˈkumi/ || ten
 
|}
 
As you can see, the numbers are quite distinct and easy to remember. Let's expand this table to include numbers from eleven to twenty:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| kumi na moja || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ || eleven
 
|-
 
| kumi na mbili || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈmbili/ || twelve
 
|-
 
| kumi na tatu || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈtatu/ || thirteen
 
|-
 
| kumi na nne || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈnːe/ || fourteen
 
|-
 
| kumi na tano || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈtano/ || fifteen
 
|-
 
| kumi na sita || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈsita/ || sixteen
 
|-
 
| kumi na saba || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈsaba/ || seventeen
 
|-
 
| kumi na nane || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈnane/ || eighteen
 
|-
 
| kumi na tisa || /ˈkumi nɑ ˈtisa/ || nineteen
 
|-
 
| ishirini || /iʃiˈrini/ || twenty
 
|}
 
Now, let’s look at the numbers from twenty-one to thirty:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| ishirini na moja || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ || twenty-one
 
|-
 
| ishirini na mbili || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈmbili/ || twenty-two
 
|-
 
| ishirini na tatu || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈtatu/ || twenty-three
 
|-
 
| ishirini na nne || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈnːe/ || twenty-four
 
|-
 
| ishirini na tano || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈtano/ || twenty-five
 
|-
 
| ishirini na sita || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈsita/ || twenty-six
 
|-
 
| ishirini na saba || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈsaba/ || twenty-seven
 
|-
 
| ishirini na nane || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈnane/ || twenty-eight
 
|-
 
| ishirini na tisa || /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈtisa/ || twenty-nine
 
|-
 
| thelathini || /θeˈlathini/ || thirty
 
|}
 
As you practice, try to count things around you using these numbers. It can be as simple as counting the number of books on your shelf or the number of apples in a bowl.
 
=== Ordinal Numbers ===
 
==== Introduction to Ordinal Numbers ====
 
Ordinal numbers help us indicate the position or order of items in a sequence. For example, first, second, third, and so on. In Swahili, ordinal numbers are also quite straightforward.
 
Here’s a list of some essential ordinal numbers in Swahili:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| wa kwanza || /wɑ ˈkwanʣa/ || first
 
|-
 
| wa pili || /wɑ ˈpili/ || second
 
|-
 
| wa tatu || /wɑ ˈtatu/ || third
 
|-
 
| wa nne || /wɑ ˈnːe/ || fourth
 
|-
 
| wa tano || /wɑ ˈtano/ || fifth
 
|-
 
| wa sita || /wɑ ˈsita/ || sixth
 
|-
 
| wa saba || /wɑ ˈsaba/ || seventh
 
|-
 
| wa nane || /wɑ ˈnane/ || eighth
 
|-
 
| wa tisa || /wɑ ˈtisa/ || ninth
 
|-
 
| wa kumi || /wɑ ˈkumi/ || tenth
 
|}
 
Using these ordinal numbers, you can easily express sequences, such as describing the order of participants in a race or listing your favorite movies.
 
=== Counting in Swahili ===
 
==== How to Count Beyond Ten ====
 
Once you are comfortable with the numbers up to ten, counting becomes much more manageable. Here’s a brief overview of how counting works in Swahili:


<p>As a Swahili (individual language) language teacher for the past 20 years, I have created this lesson to help you master the cardinal and ordinal numbers, counting, and telling time in Swahili. This lesson is part of the larger course titled "Complete 0 to A1 Swahili (individual language) Course", which is designed to take you from a complete beginner to the A1 level.</p>
* '''Eleven to nineteen''': As shown above, these numbers are formed by adding "kumi na" (ten and) before the units.


==Cardinal numbers==
* '''Twenty and beyond''': The pattern continues. For example, twenty-one is "ishirini na moja" (twenty and one), twenty-two is "ishirini na mbili" (twenty and two), and so on.


<p>Cardinal numbers are used to count and denote the quantity of objects or people. In Swahili, the cardinal numbers from 1 to 10 are:</p>
As you continue counting, the structure remains the same. Here’s a quick reference for numbers from thirty to fifty:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| moja || moh-jah || one
 
| thelathini na moja || /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ || thirty-one
 
|-
|-
| mbili || mm-bee-lee || two
 
| thelathini na mbili || /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈmbili/ || thirty-two
 
|-
|-
| tatu || tah-too || three
 
| thelathini na tatu || /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈtatu/ || thirty-three
 
|-
|-
| nne || n-nay || four
 
| thelathini na nne || /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈnːe/ || thirty-four
 
|-
|-
| tano || tah-noh || five
 
| thelathini na tano || /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈtano/ || thirty-five
 
|-
|-
| sita || see-tah || six
 
| arobaini || /aɾoˈbaini/ || forty
 
|-
|-
| saba || sah-bah || seven
 
| arobaini na moja || /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ || forty-one
 
|-
|-
| nane || nah-neh || eight
 
| arobaini na mbili || /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈmbili/ || forty-two
 
|-
|-
| tisa || tee-sah || nine
 
| arobaini na tatu || /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈtatu/ || forty-three
 
|-
|-
| kumi || koo-me || ten
 
| arobaini na nne || /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈnːe/ || forty-four
 
|}
|}


<p>For numbers greater than ten, you form them using the root word "kumi" (ten) and adding the corresponding cardinal number. For example, eleven is "kumi na moja", twelve is "kumi na mbili" and so on. It's important to note that Swahili uses a "ten and unit" system similar to English, with the unit following the ten.</p>
This pattern continues, and once you grasp the concept, you can count indefinitely!
 
=== Telling Time in Swahili ===


===Counting with cardinal numbers===
==== Introduction to Telling Time ====


<p>When counting objects or people, you use the word "ya" meaning "of" to indicate possession. For instance:</p>
Knowing how to tell time is essential in any language, and Swahili is no different. In Swahili, time is usually expressed in a straightforward manner using cardinal numbers along with the word "saa," which means "hour." For example:


<ul>
* 1:00 (one o'clock) is "saa moja"
    <li>kitabu kimoja = one book</li>
    <li>magazeti matano = five newspapers</li>
    <li>wanafunzi kumi = ten students</li>
</ul>


==Ordinal numbers==
* 2:00 (two o'clock) is "saa mbili"


<p>Ordinal numbers are used to denote the order of items in a sequence. In Swahili, the ordinal numbers from 1st to 10th are formed by adding the suffix "-a" to the corresponding cardinal number. For example:</p>
Here’s a more detailed look at telling time:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Cardinal Swahili (individual language) !! Ordinal Swahili (individual language) !! English
 
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| saa moja || /sɑː ˈmɔdʒa/ || one o'clock
 
|-
 
| saa mbili || /sɑː ˈmbili/ || two o'clock
 
|-
|-
| moja || kwanza || first
 
| saa tatu || /sɑː ˈtatu/ || three o'clock
 
|-
|-
| mbili || pili || second
 
| saa nne || /sɑː ˈnːe/ || four o'clock
 
|-
 
| saa tano || /sɑː ˈtano/ || five o'clock
 
|-
 
| saa sita || /sɑː ˈsita/ || six o'clock
 
|-
 
| saa saba || /sɑː ˈsaba/ || seven o'clock
 
|-
|-
| tatu || tatu-tatu || third
 
| saa nane || /sɑː ˈnane/ || eight o'clock
 
|-
|-
| nne || nne-nne || fourth
 
| saa tisa || /sɑː ˈtisa/ || nine o'clock
 
|-
|-
| tano || tano-tano || fifth
 
| saa kumi || /sɑː ˈkumi/ || ten o'clock
 
|}
 
For times beyond ten, Swahili combines the cardinal numbers with "saa" and uses "na" to indicate minutes past the hour. For example:
 
* 1:15 (one fifteen) is "saa moja na kumi na tano" (one and ten and five – literally).
 
* 2:30 (two thirty) is "saa mbili na thelathini" (two and thirty).
 
Here’s a table for reference:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Swahili (individual language) !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
|-
| sita || sita-sita || sixth
 
| saa moja na kumi || /sɑː ˈmɔdʒa nɑ ˈkumi/ || one fifteen
 
|-
|-
| saba || sabaa-sabaa || seventh
 
| saa mbili na thelathini || /sɑː ˈmbili nɑ θeˈlathini/ || two thirty
 
|-
|-
| nane || nane-nane || eighth
 
| saa tatu na dakika kumi || /sɑː ˈtatu nɑ dɑˈkika ˈkumi/ || three ten minutes
 
|-
|-
| tisa || tisa-tisa || ninth
 
| saa nne na dakika ishirini || /sɑː ˈnːe nɑ dɑˈkika iʃiˈrini/ || four twenty minutes
 
|-
|-
| kumi || kumi-kumi || tenth
 
| saa tano na dakika thelathini || /sɑː ˈtano nɑ dɑˈkika θeˈlathini/ || five thirty minutes
 
|}
|}


==Telling time in Swahili==
=== Exercises and Practice Scenarios ===
 
Now that you have a good understanding of numbers and counting in Swahili, it’s time to practice! Below are ten exercises designed to reinforce your learning.
 
=== Exercise 1: Cardinal Numbers Translation ===
 
Translate the following cardinal numbers from English to Swahili:
 
1. Three
 
2. Seven
 
3. Eleven
 
4. Eighteen
 
5. Twenty-five
 
=== Exercise 2: Ordinal Numbers Translation ===
 
Translate the following ordinal numbers from English to Swahili:
 
1. Fourth
 
2. Seventh
 
3. Tenth
 
4. First
 
5. Third
 
=== Exercise 3: Counting Objects ===
 
Count the following objects in Swahili:
 
1. Five apples
 
2. Eight books
 
3. Ten chairs
 
4. Twelve oranges
 
5. Sixteen pens
 
=== Exercise 4: Telling Time in Swahili ===
 
Convert the following times from English to Swahili:
 
1. One o'clock
 
2. Three fifteen
 
3. Five thirty
 
4. Two forty-five
 
5. Twelve noon
 
=== Exercise 5: Fill in the Blanks ===
 
Fill in the blanks with the correct Swahili cardinal number:
 
1. ____ (two)
 
2. ____ (nine)
 
3. ____ (fourteen)
 
4. ____ (thirty)
 
5. ____ (eighteen)
 
=== Exercise 6: Write Your Own Sentences ===
 
Create sentences in Swahili using the following numbers:
 
1. Three
 
2. Ten
 
3. Seven
 
4. Twenty
 
5. Fifteen
 
=== Exercise 7: Match the Numbers ===
 
Match the Swahili numbers to their English counterparts:
 
1. Kumi
 
2. Tatu
 
3. Nne
 
4. Mbili
 
5. Saba
 
=== Exercise 8: Identify the Ordinal Number ===
 
Identify the ordinal number in the following sentences:
 
1. She is the third in line.
 
2. This is my first book.
 
3. That was the second time I visited.
 
4. He finished in fourth place.
 
5. I am the seventh child.
 
=== Exercise 9: Time Conversion Challenge ===
 
Convert the following times to English:
 
1. Saa mbili
 
2. Saa tano na kumi
 
3. Saa tatu na dakika ishirini
 
4. Saa kumi na tatu
 
5. Saa nne na dakika kumi na tano
 
=== Exercise 10: Create a Number Dialogue ===
 
Write a short dialogue in Swahili using at least five different numbers. You can include cardinal and ordinal numbers.
 
=== Answers and Explanations ===
 
Below are the answers and explanations for the exercises:
 
=== Answer for Exercise 1 ===
 
1. Tatu
 
2. Saba
 
3. Kumi na moja
 
4. Kumi na nane
 
5. Ishirini na tano
 
=== Answer for Exercise 2 ===
 
1. Wa nne
 
2. Wa saba
 
3. Wa kumi
 
4. Wa kwanza
 
5. Wa tatu
 
=== Answer for Exercise 3 ===
 
1. Maziwa matano
 
2. Vitabu nane
 
3. Viti kumi
 
4. Oranges kumi na mbili
 
5. Kalamu kumi na sita
 
=== Answer for Exercise 4 ===
 
1. Saa moja
 
2. Saa tatu na kumi na tano
 
3. Saa tano na thelathini
 
4. Saa mbili na arobaini na tano
 
5. Saa kumi na mbili
 
=== Answer for Exercise 5 ===
 
1. Mbili
 
2. Tisa
 
3. Kumi na nne
 
4. Thelathini
 
5. Kumi na nane
 
=== Answer for Exercise 6 ===
 
1. Nina apples tatu.
 
2. Nina chairs kumi.
 
3. Nina books saba.
 
4. Nina oranges ishirini.
 
5. Nina pens kumi na tano.
 
=== Answer for Exercise 7 ===
 
1. Kumi - Ten
 
2. Tatu - Three
 
3. Nne - Four
 
4. Mbili - Two
 
5. Saba - Seven
 
=== Answer for Exercise 8 ===
 
1. Tatu
 
2. Kwanza
 
3. Pili
 
4. Nne
 
5. Saba
 
=== Answer for Exercise 9 ===
 
1. Two o'clock
 
2. Five ten
 
3. Three twenty minutes
 
4. Thirteen o'clock
 
5. Four fifteen


<p>Swahili uses the 12-hour clock system to tell time. Therefore, it's essential to know the basic Swahili vocabulary for time-related expressions:</p>
=== Answer for Exercise 10 ===


<ul>
''Example dialogue can vary, here is one possible answer:''
    <li>saa = hour</li>
    <li>dakika = minute</li>
    <li>asubuhi = morning</li>
    <li>mchana = afternoon</li>
    <li>jioni = evening</li>
    <li>usiku = night</li>
</ul>


<p>To say the time in Swahili, you start with the word "saa" followed by the hour in cardinal numbers, then the minutes in ordinal numbers, and finally the time of day. For instance:</p>
* A: "Saa ngapi?" (What time is it?)


<ul>
* B: "Saa mbili." (It's two o'clock.)
    <li>saa mbili kasorobo = quarter past two</li>
    <li>saa kumi kamili jioni = ten o'clock sharp in the evening</li>
    <li>saa tatu unusu asubuhi = half past three in the morning</li>
</ul>


==Conclusion==
* A: "Nina mtoto wa kwanza." (I have the first child.)


<p>Learning Swahili numbers and counting is fundamental to mastering the language. In this lesson, we've covered the cardinal and ordinal numbers, counting, and telling time in Swahili. Use the examples provided here as a basis for practicing and expanding your vocabulary. Remember, practice makes perfect! </p>
* B: "Nina vitabu vitatu." (I have three books.)


* A: "Tuna watoto saba." (We have seven children.)
* B: "Ninataka orange kumi." (I want ten oranges.)
Congratulations on completing this lesson! Remember to practice your numbers regularly for better retention. The more you use them, the easier they will become. Keep up the great work, and continue to embrace the beauty of the Swahili language!


<span link>Well done on mastering this lesson! Don't miss these related pages to expand your knowledge: [[Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Sport|Sport]] & [[Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Vegetables|Vegetables]].</span>
{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Swahili Numbers and Counting Lesson: Cardinal and Ordinal | Learn Swahili for Beginners
|keywords=Swahili cardinal numbers, Swahili ordinal numbers, Swahili telling time, learn Swahili for beginners, Swahili culture
|description=In this lesson, you will master the Swahili numbers and counting system. From cardinal and ordinal numbers to telling time, this is an essential lesson for any beginner in Swahili language learning.}}


{{Swahili-individual-language-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
|title=Swahili Numbers and Counting Lesson for Beginners
 
|keywords=Swahili numbers, counting in Swahili, ordinal numbers, cardinal numbers, telling time in Swahili
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn about cardinal and ordinal numbers, counting, and telling time in Swahili, aimed at complete beginners.
 
}}
 
{{Template:Swahili-individual-language-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}


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==Other Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
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* [[Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Transportation|Transportation]]
* [[Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Transportation|Transportation]]
* [[Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Days-of-the-Week|Days of the Week]]
* [[Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Days-of-the-Week|Days of the Week]]


{{Swahili-individual-language-Page-Bottom}}
{{Swahili-individual-language-Page-Bottom}}
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|[[Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Names-and-Nationalities|◀️ Names and Nationalities — Previous Lesson]]
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Latest revision as of 13:15, 1 August 2024

◀️ Names and Nationalities — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Days, Months, and Seasons ▶️

Learn-swahili-most-important-sentenses.jpg
Swahili (individual language) Vocabulary → Numbers and Counting

Welcome to the lesson on Numbers and Counting in Swahili! This topic is essential because numbers are the building blocks of communication, helping you in everyday situations such as shopping, telling time, and even making friends. Understanding how to count and use numbers will give you a solid foundation as you continue your journey in learning Swahili.

In this lesson, we will cover the following:

Cardinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

Introduction to Cardinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

Cardinal numbers are used for counting. They allow us to quantify nouns and express how many items we are referring to. In Swahili, cardinal numbers play a crucial role as they are used in various contexts, from simple counting to describing quantities in conversations.

Here is a breakdown of some basic cardinal numbers in Swahili:

Swahili (individual language) Pronunciation English
moja /ˈmɔdʒa/ one
mbili /ˈmbili/ two
tatu /ˈtatu/ three
nne /ˈnːe/ four
tano /ˈtano/ five
sita /ˈsita/ six
saba /ˈsaba/ seven
nane /ˈnane/ eight
tisa /ˈtisa/ nine
kumi /ˈkumi/ ten

As you can see, the numbers are quite distinct and easy to remember. Let's expand this table to include numbers from eleven to twenty:

Swahili (individual language) Pronunciation English
kumi na moja /ˈkumi nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ eleven
kumi na mbili /ˈkumi nɑ ˈmbili/ twelve
kumi na tatu /ˈkumi nɑ ˈtatu/ thirteen
kumi na nne /ˈkumi nɑ ˈnːe/ fourteen
kumi na tano /ˈkumi nɑ ˈtano/ fifteen
kumi na sita /ˈkumi nɑ ˈsita/ sixteen
kumi na saba /ˈkumi nɑ ˈsaba/ seventeen
kumi na nane /ˈkumi nɑ ˈnane/ eighteen
kumi na tisa /ˈkumi nɑ ˈtisa/ nineteen
ishirini /iʃiˈrini/ twenty

Now, let’s look at the numbers from twenty-one to thirty:

Swahili (individual language) Pronunciation English
ishirini na moja /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ twenty-one
ishirini na mbili /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈmbili/ twenty-two
ishirini na tatu /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈtatu/ twenty-three
ishirini na nne /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈnːe/ twenty-four
ishirini na tano /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈtano/ twenty-five
ishirini na sita /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈsita/ twenty-six
ishirini na saba /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈsaba/ twenty-seven
ishirini na nane /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈnane/ twenty-eight
ishirini na tisa /iʃiˈrini nɑ ˈtisa/ twenty-nine
thelathini /θeˈlathini/ thirty

As you practice, try to count things around you using these numbers. It can be as simple as counting the number of books on your shelf or the number of apples in a bowl.

Ordinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

Introduction to Ordinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

Ordinal numbers help us indicate the position or order of items in a sequence. For example, first, second, third, and so on. In Swahili, ordinal numbers are also quite straightforward.

Here’s a list of some essential ordinal numbers in Swahili:

Swahili (individual language) Pronunciation English
wa kwanza /wɑ ˈkwanʣa/ first
wa pili /wɑ ˈpili/ second
wa tatu /wɑ ˈtatu/ third
wa nne /wɑ ˈnːe/ fourth
wa tano /wɑ ˈtano/ fifth
wa sita /wɑ ˈsita/ sixth
wa saba /wɑ ˈsaba/ seventh
wa nane /wɑ ˈnane/ eighth
wa tisa /wɑ ˈtisa/ ninth
wa kumi /wɑ ˈkumi/ tenth

Using these ordinal numbers, you can easily express sequences, such as describing the order of participants in a race or listing your favorite movies.

Counting in Swahili[edit | edit source]

How to Count Beyond Ten[edit | edit source]

Once you are comfortable with the numbers up to ten, counting becomes much more manageable. Here’s a brief overview of how counting works in Swahili:

  • Eleven to nineteen: As shown above, these numbers are formed by adding "kumi na" (ten and) before the units.
  • Twenty and beyond: The pattern continues. For example, twenty-one is "ishirini na moja" (twenty and one), twenty-two is "ishirini na mbili" (twenty and two), and so on.

As you continue counting, the structure remains the same. Here’s a quick reference for numbers from thirty to fifty:

Swahili (individual language) Pronunciation English
thelathini na moja /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ thirty-one
thelathini na mbili /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈmbili/ thirty-two
thelathini na tatu /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈtatu/ thirty-three
thelathini na nne /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈnːe/ thirty-four
thelathini na tano /θeˈlathini nɑ ˈtano/ thirty-five
arobaini /aɾoˈbaini/ forty
arobaini na moja /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈmɔdʒa/ forty-one
arobaini na mbili /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈmbili/ forty-two
arobaini na tatu /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈtatu/ forty-three
arobaini na nne /aɾoˈbaini nɑ ˈnːe/ forty-four

This pattern continues, and once you grasp the concept, you can count indefinitely!

Telling Time in Swahili[edit | edit source]

Introduction to Telling Time[edit | edit source]

Knowing how to tell time is essential in any language, and Swahili is no different. In Swahili, time is usually expressed in a straightforward manner using cardinal numbers along with the word "saa," which means "hour." For example:

  • 1:00 (one o'clock) is "saa moja"
  • 2:00 (two o'clock) is "saa mbili"

Here’s a more detailed look at telling time:

Swahili (individual language) Pronunciation English
saa moja /sɑː ˈmɔdʒa/ one o'clock
saa mbili /sɑː ˈmbili/ two o'clock
saa tatu /sɑː ˈtatu/ three o'clock
saa nne /sɑː ˈnːe/ four o'clock
saa tano /sɑː ˈtano/ five o'clock
saa sita /sɑː ˈsita/ six o'clock
saa saba /sɑː ˈsaba/ seven o'clock
saa nane /sɑː ˈnane/ eight o'clock
saa tisa /sɑː ˈtisa/ nine o'clock
saa kumi /sɑː ˈkumi/ ten o'clock

For times beyond ten, Swahili combines the cardinal numbers with "saa" and uses "na" to indicate minutes past the hour. For example:

  • 1:15 (one fifteen) is "saa moja na kumi na tano" (one and ten and five – literally).
  • 2:30 (two thirty) is "saa mbili na thelathini" (two and thirty).

Here’s a table for reference:

Swahili (individual language) Pronunciation English
saa moja na kumi /sɑː ˈmɔdʒa nɑ ˈkumi/ one fifteen
saa mbili na thelathini /sɑː ˈmbili nɑ θeˈlathini/ two thirty
saa tatu na dakika kumi /sɑː ˈtatu nɑ dɑˈkika ˈkumi/ three ten minutes
saa nne na dakika ishirini /sɑː ˈnːe nɑ dɑˈkika iʃiˈrini/ four twenty minutes
saa tano na dakika thelathini /sɑː ˈtano nɑ dɑˈkika θeˈlathini/ five thirty minutes

Exercises and Practice Scenarios[edit | edit source]

Now that you have a good understanding of numbers and counting in Swahili, it’s time to practice! Below are ten exercises designed to reinforce your learning.

Exercise 1: Cardinal Numbers Translation[edit | edit source]

Translate the following cardinal numbers from English to Swahili:

1. Three

2. Seven

3. Eleven

4. Eighteen

5. Twenty-five

Exercise 2: Ordinal Numbers Translation[edit | edit source]

Translate the following ordinal numbers from English to Swahili:

1. Fourth

2. Seventh

3. Tenth

4. First

5. Third

Exercise 3: Counting Objects[edit | edit source]

Count the following objects in Swahili:

1. Five apples

2. Eight books

3. Ten chairs

4. Twelve oranges

5. Sixteen pens

Exercise 4: Telling Time in Swahili[edit | edit source]

Convert the following times from English to Swahili:

1. One o'clock

2. Three fifteen

3. Five thirty

4. Two forty-five

5. Twelve noon

Exercise 5: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Fill in the blanks with the correct Swahili cardinal number:

1. ____ (two)

2. ____ (nine)

3. ____ (fourteen)

4. ____ (thirty)

5. ____ (eighteen)

Exercise 6: Write Your Own Sentences[edit | edit source]

Create sentences in Swahili using the following numbers:

1. Three

2. Ten

3. Seven

4. Twenty

5. Fifteen

Exercise 7: Match the Numbers[edit | edit source]

Match the Swahili numbers to their English counterparts:

1. Kumi

2. Tatu

3. Nne

4. Mbili

5. Saba

Exercise 8: Identify the Ordinal Number[edit | edit source]

Identify the ordinal number in the following sentences:

1. She is the third in line.

2. This is my first book.

3. That was the second time I visited.

4. He finished in fourth place.

5. I am the seventh child.

Exercise 9: Time Conversion Challenge[edit | edit source]

Convert the following times to English:

1. Saa mbili

2. Saa tano na kumi

3. Saa tatu na dakika ishirini

4. Saa kumi na tatu

5. Saa nne na dakika kumi na tano

Exercise 10: Create a Number Dialogue[edit | edit source]

Write a short dialogue in Swahili using at least five different numbers. You can include cardinal and ordinal numbers.

Answers and Explanations[edit | edit source]

Below are the answers and explanations for the exercises:

Answer for Exercise 1[edit | edit source]

1. Tatu

2. Saba

3. Kumi na moja

4. Kumi na nane

5. Ishirini na tano

Answer for Exercise 2[edit | edit source]

1. Wa nne

2. Wa saba

3. Wa kumi

4. Wa kwanza

5. Wa tatu

Answer for Exercise 3[edit | edit source]

1. Maziwa matano

2. Vitabu nane

3. Viti kumi

4. Oranges kumi na mbili

5. Kalamu kumi na sita

Answer for Exercise 4[edit | edit source]

1. Saa moja

2. Saa tatu na kumi na tano

3. Saa tano na thelathini

4. Saa mbili na arobaini na tano

5. Saa kumi na mbili

Answer for Exercise 5[edit | edit source]

1. Mbili

2. Tisa

3. Kumi na nne

4. Thelathini

5. Kumi na nane

Answer for Exercise 6[edit | edit source]

1. Nina apples tatu.

2. Nina chairs kumi.

3. Nina books saba.

4. Nina oranges ishirini.

5. Nina pens kumi na tano.

Answer for Exercise 7[edit | edit source]

1. Kumi - Ten

2. Tatu - Three

3. Nne - Four

4. Mbili - Two

5. Saba - Seven

Answer for Exercise 8[edit | edit source]

1. Tatu

2. Kwanza

3. Pili

4. Nne

5. Saba

Answer for Exercise 9[edit | edit source]

1. Two o'clock

2. Five ten

3. Three twenty minutes

4. Thirteen o'clock

5. Four fifteen

Answer for Exercise 10[edit | edit source]

Example dialogue can vary, here is one possible answer:

  • A: "Saa ngapi?" (What time is it?)
  • B: "Saa mbili." (It's two o'clock.)
  • A: "Nina mtoto wa kwanza." (I have the first child.)
  • B: "Nina vitabu vitatu." (I have three books.)
  • A: "Tuna watoto saba." (We have seven children.)
  • B: "Ninataka orange kumi." (I want ten oranges.)

Congratulations on completing this lesson! Remember to practice your numbers regularly for better retention. The more you use them, the easier they will become. Keep up the great work, and continue to embrace the beauty of the Swahili language!

Table of Contents - Swahili (individual language) Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Swahili Grammar


Greetings and Introductions


Swahili Culture and Society


Swahili Syntax


At Home and Around Town


Swahili Literature and Art


Advanced Topics in Swahili Grammar


Nature and the Environment


Swahili Festivals and Celebrations


Idioms and Proverbs


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Names and Nationalities — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Days, Months, and Seasons ▶️

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