Language/Yoruba/Grammar/Counting-in-Yoruba

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Yoruba → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Counting in Yoruba

Counting is an integral part of any language, serving as a fundamental building block for communication. In the Yoruba language, understanding how to count is not only essential for everyday conversations but also for engaging with the rich cultural expressions that involve numbers. From telling time to discussing quantities, numbers play a vital role in our interactions. Today, we will embark on a journey through the world of Yoruba numbers, exploring both cardinal and ordinal numbers, counting from 1 to 100, and uncovering the underlying patterns within the number system.

Our lesson will be structured as follows:

Introduction to Yoruba Numbers

In this section, we will introduce the Yoruba number system, emphasizing its uniqueness and importance in daily life. Let’s dive into the basics!

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are used for counting. In Yoruba, these numbers have a distinct structure, and they follow specific rules that we will explore in detail. Here, we will count from 1 to 20, and then from 21 to 100.

Counting from 1 to 20

To begin, let’s look at the cardinal numbers from 1 to 20 in Yoruba:

Yoruba	Pronunciation	English
1	ẹ̀yà	one
2	méjì	two
3	mẹta	three
4	mẹrin	four
5	márùn-ún	five
6	mẹfa	six
7	mẹje	seven
8	mẹjọ	eight
9	mẹsan	nine
10	mẹwà	ten
11	mẹwà - kan	eleven
12	mẹwà - méjì	twelve
13	mẹwà - mẹta	thirteen
14	mẹwà - mẹrin	fourteen
15	mẹwà - márùn-ún	fifteen
16	mẹwà - mẹfa	sixteen
17	mẹwà - mẹje	seventeen
18	mẹwà - mẹjọ	eighteen
19	mẹwà - mẹsan	nineteen
20	ogún	twenty

By learning these numbers, you can start counting and even use them in basic sentences.

Counting from 21 to 100

Now, let's extend our counting to numbers beyond 20. The structure of Yoruba numbers becomes more systematic as we progress. Numbers 21 to 29 follow a particular pattern, and then we’ll see how the tens work.

• 21 to 29: The pattern is "twenty" + "number". For example, 21 is "ogún - kan", meaning "twenty-one".

• 30: "ọgbọn", which means thirty.

• 31 to 39: This follows the same pattern: "thirty" + "number". For instance, 31 is "ọgbọn - kan".

• 40: "ọgọrun", which means forty.

• 50: "àádọ́ta", which means fifty.

• 60: "àádọ́ta" means sixty.

• 70: "àádọ́ta" means seventy.

• 80: "àádọ́ta" means eighty.

• 90: "àádọ́ta" means ninety.

• 100: "ọgọrun", which means one hundred.

Let’s summarize the structure in a table:

Yoruba	Pronunciation	English
21	ogún - kan	twenty-one
22	ogún - méjì	twenty-two
23	ogún - mẹta	twenty-three
24	ogún - mẹrin	twenty-four
25	ogún - márùn-ún	twenty-five
26	ogún - mẹfa	twenty-six
27	ogún - mẹje	twenty-seven
28	ogún - mẹjọ	twenty-eight
29	ogún - mẹsan	twenty-nine
30	ọgbọn	thirty
31	ọgbọn - kan	thirty-one
32	ọgbọn - méjì	thirty-two
33	ọgbọn - mẹta	thirty-three
34	ọgbọn - mẹrin	thirty-four
35	ọgbọn - márùn-ún	thirty-five
36	ọgbọn - mẹfa	thirty-six
37	ọgbọn - mẹje	thirty-seven
38	ọgbọn - mẹjọ	thirty-eight
39	ọgbọn - mẹsan	thirty-nine
40	ọgọrun	forty
50	àádọ́ta	fifty
60	àádọ́ta	sixty
70	àádọ́ta	seventy
80	àádọ́ta	eighty
90	àádọ́ta	ninety
100	ọgọrun	one hundred

With this knowledge, you can count confidently up to 100 in Yoruba!

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers indicate position or order. In Yoruba, they are formed by prefixing the cardinal number with "kì" for the first, "kejì" for the second, and so forth. Let's explore how to form ordinal numbers.

Forming Ordinal Numbers

Here’s how to form ordinal numbers in Yoruba:

• 1st: kìkà

• 2nd: kejì

• 3rd: keta

• 4th: kẹrin

• 5th: kàrùn-ún

• 6th: kẹfa

• 7th: kẹje

• 8th: kẹjọ

• 9th: kẹsan

• 10th: kẹwà

And from here, it continues in a similar pattern:

• 11th: kẹwà - kan

• 12th: kẹwà - méjì

• 13th: kẹwà - mẹta

• 20th: kẹgún

Let’s capture this in a table:

Yoruba	Pronunciation	English
1st	kìkà	first
2nd	kejì	second
3rd	keta	third
4th	kẹrin	fourth
5th	kàrùn-ún	fifth
6th	kẹfa	sixth
7th	kẹje	seventh
8th	kẹjọ	eighth
9th	kẹsan	ninth
10th	kẹwà	tenth
20th	kẹgún	twentieth

This foundational understanding of ordinal numbers will help you express yourself more clearly in Yoruba.

Practice Exercises

Now that we’ve covered counting and numbers, it’s time to practice! Here are some exercises to help solidify your understanding.

Exercise 1: Cardinal Numbers

Translate the following English numbers into Yoruba:

1. Five

2. Twelve

3. Thirty-three

4. Eight

5. Seventeen

Exercise 2: Ordinal Numbers

Translate the following English ordinal numbers into Yoruba:

1. First

2. Third

3. Eighth

4. Twelfth

5. Nineteenth

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct Yoruba cardinal number:

1. 2 + 3 = __

2. 10 + 5 = __

3. 21 - 1 = __

4. 30 - 10 = __

5. 50 + 50 = __

Exercise 4: Number Sentences

Create sentences using the following numbers:

1. 4

2. 15

3. 28

4. 100

5. 50

Exercise 5: Counting Objects

Count the following objects in Yoruba:

1. Apples (5)

2. Books (3)

3. Chairs (8)

4. Houses (12)

5. Cars (20)

Exercise 6: Matching Exercise

Match the Yoruba numbers with their English translations:

1. mẹta

2. mẹje

3. mẹsan

4. mẹwà

5. ọgọrun

• A. Seven

• B. Nine

• C. Three

• D. Ten

• E. One hundred

Exercise 7: Translation Challenge

Translate the following Yoruba numbers into English:

1. mẹrin

2. ogún - mẹta

3. àádọ́ta

4. kẹwà - méjì

5. mẹsan

Exercise 8: Practical Application

Imagine you are shopping, and you need to say how many items you want. Write a dialogue using at least five different Yoruba numbers.

Exercise 9: Number Riddles

Create a riddle using numbers. For example, “I am the number that comes after 20; what am I?”

Exercise 10: Oral Practice

Practice counting from 1 to 100 aloud in Yoruba. Record yourself and listen to your pronunciation.

Solutions to Exercises

Let’s go through the solutions to the exercises.

Exercise 1: Cardinal Numbers

1. Márùn-ún

2. mẹwà - méjì

3. ọgbọn - mẹta

4. mẹjọ

5. mẹwà - meje

Exercise 2: Ordinal Numbers

1. Kìkà

2. Keta

3. Kẹjọ

4. Kẹwà - méjì

5. Kẹsan

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

1. mẹrin

2. mẹwà - márùn-ún

3. ogún - kan

4. mẹwa

5. ọgọrun

Exercise 4: Number Sentences

1. Mo ni mẹrin (I have four).

2. Mo ra mẹwà - márùn-ún (I bought fifteen).

3. Mo ni ogún - mẹta (I have twenty-eight).

4. Mo ni ọgọrun (I have one hundred).

5. Mo ni àádọ́ta (I have fifty).

Exercise 5: Counting Objects

1. Mo ni márùn-ún apùlù (I have five apples).

2. Mo ni mẹta iwe (I have three books).

3. Mo ni mẹjọ kẹ́kẹ́ (I have eight chairs).

4. Mo ni mejìlá ilé (I have twelve houses).

5. Mo ni ogún ọkọ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́ (I have twenty cars).

Exercise 6: Matching Exercise

1. C. Three

2. A. Seven

3. B. Nine

4. D. Ten

5. E. One hundred

Exercise 7: Translation Challenge

1. Four

2. Twenty-three

3. Fifty

4. Twelve

5. Nine

Exercise 8: Practical Application

Dialogue Example:

• A: “Báwo ni, Ẹ jọ̀ọ́, mo fẹ́ mẹta àpùlù.” (Hello, please, I want three apples.)

• B: “Ṣé o fẹ́ bẹ́ẹ̀? Mo ni mẹta.” (Do you want that? I have three.)

• A: “Bẹẹni, mo fẹ́ mẹta.” (Yes, I want three.)

Exercise 9: Number Riddles

Riddle Example: “I am the number before 15; what am I?” (Answer: 14)

Exercise 10: Oral Practice

Practice counting from 1 to 100 aloud in Yoruba.

Conclusion

Understanding numbers is crucial for effective communication in Yoruba. This lesson has provided you with the foundational skills to count, both cardinally and ordinally, up to 100. Keep practicing, and soon you will find yourself counting effortlessly in Yoruba!

Table of Contents - Yoruba Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Yoruba Language

• Alphabets and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself and Others

  ---

Everyday Life and Traditions

• Yoruba Family Structure
• Yoruba Food and Mealtime Etiquette

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Counting in Yoruba
• Telling Time

  ---

Colors and Shapes

• Colors
• Shapes

  ---

Yoruba Festivals and Celebrations

• Traditional Festivals
• Modern Celebrations

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns
• Pronouns

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routines
• Hobbies and Leisure Activities

  ---

Yoruba Music and Dance

• Traditional Music
• Traditional Dance

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Beverages

  ---

Yoruba Proverbs and Folktales

• Proverbs
• Folktales

Sources

• Yoruba language - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Negation
• Oro asopo (Conjunctions)
• Adjectives
• Future Tense
• Gender
• Give your Opinion
• Pronouns
• Telling Time

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