Numbers and Counting in Basque

Overview

Learning to count in Basque is an exciting A1 milestone because the Basque number system uses a vigesimal (base-20) structure, which is different from the base-10 system most European languages use. This means that instead of counting by tens, Basque groups numbers by twenties. The number 40, for example, is literally "two-twenty" (berrogei), and 60 is "three-twenty" (hirurogei).

The basic numbers from 1 to 10 must be memorized as they are unique words. From there, the system follows regular patterns that become intuitive with practice. Numbers in Basque precede the noun they modify, and the noun stays in its bare (indefinite) form — you say bi etxe (two houses), not bi etxeak.

At this level, you will need numbers for everyday tasks like shopping, telling time, giving your phone number, and talking about quantities.

How It Works

Numbers 0-10:

Number	Basque	Number	Basque
0	zero	6	sei
1	bat	7	zazpi
2	bi	8	zortzi
3	hiru	9	bederatzi
4	lau	10	hamar
5	bost

Numbers 11-20:

Number	Basque	Number	Basque
11	hamaika	16	hamasei
12	hamabi	17	hamazazpi
13	hamahiru	18	hemezortzi
14	hamalau	19	hemeretzi
15	hamabost	20	hogei

Vigesimal pattern (base 20):

Number	Basque	Literal meaning
20	hogei	twenty
21	hogeita bat	twenty-and-one
30	hogeita hamar	twenty-and-ten
40	berrogei	two-twenty
60	hirurogei	three-twenty
80	laurogei	four-twenty
100	ehun	hundred

Grammar with numbers:

• Numbers come before the noun
• The noun stays in bare/indefinite form (no article suffix)
• Bat (one) goes after the noun: liburu bat (a/one book)

Examples in Context

Basque	English	Note
bat, bi, hiru, lau, bost	one, two, three, four, five	Basic counting
hamar	ten	Base number
hogei	twenty	The vigesimal base
Hiru sagar nahi ditut.	I want three apples.	Number before noun, bare form
Bi kafe, mesedez.	Two coffees, please.	Ordering
Zenbat urte dituzu?	How old are you?	Lit. "How many years do you have?"
Hogeita bost urte ditut.	I am twenty-five.	Vigesimal: 20 + 5
Liburu bat erosi dut.	I bought one/a book.	Bat after noun
Berrogeita hamar euro.	Fifty euros.	2×20 + 10 = 50
Ehun lagun etorri dira.	A hundred friends came.	Large number

Common Mistakes

Putting bat before the noun like other numbers

• Wrong: bat liburu
• Right: liburu bat
• Why: Unlike all other numbers, bat follows the noun. All numbers from bi (2) onward precede the noun.

Using the definite article after a number

• Wrong: bi liburuak (meaning "two books" in general)
• Right: bi liburu (two books)
• Why: After numbers, the noun is in bare/indefinite form. Bi liburuak specifically means "the two books" (those particular two).

Forgetting the vigesimal grouping

• Wrong: Trying to form 50 as bost hamar (five tens)
• Right: berrogeita hamar (two-twenties-and-ten)
• Why: Basque groups by twenties, not tens. 50 = 40 + 10 = berrogei + ta hamar.

Practice Tips

1. Count objects around you in Basque every day. Start with 1-20, then expand. Practice the vigesimal jumps: 20, 40, 60, 80, 100.
2. Practice your age, phone number, and common prices in Basque. Real-world numbers stick better than abstract drilling.

Related Concepts

• Time and Dates
• Ordinals and Quantities