Numbers

1. Limo, fibili, fitatu

   One, two, three

   Usage

   The counting forms; show the number on your fingers as you say it

   Grammar Note

   Numbers change their first sound to match what is counted; these are the counting forms. For people use "umo, babili, batatu". Native review recommended

2. Fine, fisano, mutanda

   Four, five, six

   Usage

   The next counting forms

   Grammar Note

   From six upward the numerals (mutanda, cinelubali ...) do not change with the noun class. Native review recommended

3. Cinelubali, cinekonsekonse, pabula, ikumi

   Seven, eight, nine, ten

   Usage

   Counting from seven to ten

   Grammar Note

   "Eight" is sometimes written as three words, "cine konse konse". From 11 up, join with "na", as in "ikumi na limo" (ten and one)

4. Amakumi yabili, amakumi yatatu, amakumi yane

   Twenty, thirty, forty

   Usage

   The tens, for prices and ages

   Grammar Note

   "amakumi" means "tens", and the numeral after it gives 20, 30, 40. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Ikana limo

   One thousand

   Usage

   Says 1,000, e.g. when negotiating a price

   Grammar Note

   "ikana" is a thousand; "thousands" uses the plural "amakana". Native review recommended

6. Ndi ne myaka amakumi yatatu.

   I am thirty years old.

   Usage

   States your age; swap in your own number

   Grammar Note

   "Ndi ne ..." means "I have ..."; age uses the pattern "ne myaka" ("with ... years"). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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