Numbers and Counting in Yoruba

Overview

The Yoruba counting system is one of the most mathematically complex numeral systems in the world. At the A1 level, learning the basic numbers from one to twenty is essential for everyday activities like shopping, telling time, and describing quantities. What makes Yoruba numbers unique is their vigesimal (base-20) foundation, which involves addition and subtraction operations for numbers beyond ten.

The basic numbers from one to ten are straightforward: ọ̀kan/ení (1), èjì/méjì (2), ẹ̀ta/mẹ́ta (3), ẹ̀rin/mẹ́rin (4), àrún/márùn (5), ẹ̀fà/mẹ́fà (6), èje/méje (7), ẹ̀jọ/mẹ́jọ (8), ẹ̀sán/mẹ́sàn (9), ẹ̀wá/mẹ́wàá (10). Each number has two forms -- a standalone form and a form used when counting objects.

For numbers above ten, the system becomes fascinatingly mathematical. Fifteen is "àrúndínlógún" (20 minus 5), and eighteen is "èjìdínlógún" (20 minus 2). The base unit of twenty is "ogún," and multiples of twenty form the backbone: ogójì (40), ọgọ́ta (60), ọgọ́rin (80), ọgọ́rùn-ún (100). Understanding this system is important even at A1 because market interactions use these numbers daily.

How It Works

Numbers 1-10:

Number	Standalone	With Nouns (counting)
1	ọ̀kan	ení/kan
2	èjì	méjì
3	ẹ̀ta	mẹ́ta
4	ẹ̀rin	mẹ́rin
5	àrún	márùn
6	ẹ̀fà	mẹ́fà
7	èje	méje
8	ẹ̀jọ	mẹ́jọ
9	ẹ̀sán	mẹ́sàn
10	ẹ̀wá	mẹ́wàá

Numbers follow the noun: ọmọ méjì (two children), ilé mẹ́ta (three houses).

Key multiples:

Number	Yoruba	Formation
20	ogún	Base unit
30	ọgbọ̀n	Unique word
40	ogójì	20 x 2
100	ọgọ́rùn-ún	20 x 5

Examples in Context

Yoruba	English	Note
ọmọ méjì	two children	Number follows noun
ilé mẹ́ta	three houses	Counting form with m- prefix
ogún	twenty	Base-20 unit
Ó ra ẹja mẹ́wàá.	He/She bought ten fish.	Number in sentence
Ọmọ mélòó ni o ní?	How many children do you have?	Question with mélòó
Ó jẹ́ ọdún márùn.	It is five years.	Age/duration
Mo fẹ́ méjì.	I want two.	Number as object
Ọgbọ̀n ènìyàn wá.	Thirty people came.	Higher number
Owó mẹ́wàá ni.	It is ten naira.	Price expression
Ọjọ́ mẹ́ta ni ó kù.	Three days remain.	Countdown

Common Mistakes

Putting Numbers Before the Noun

• Wrong: Méjì ọmọ (two children, English order)
• Right: Ọmọ méjì (children two = two children)
• Why: In Yoruba, numbers follow the noun they quantify, opposite to English.

Using the Wrong Number Form

• Wrong: Ọmọ èjì (using standalone form with a noun)
• Right: Ọmọ méjì (using the counting/modifier form)
• Why: When counting objects, use the m-prefix forms (méjì, mẹ́ta, etc.), not the standalone forms.

Expecting a Decimal System

• Wrong: Assuming 15 is "ten-five" as in many languages.
• Right: 15 is àrúndínlógún (5 reduced from 20) -- subtraction from 20.
• Why: Yoruba uses a vigesimal (base-20) system with subtraction, not a decimal system.

Practice Tips

1. Master 1-10 first: Get the counting forms (méjì, mẹ́ta, mẹ́rin, etc.) automatic before tackling higher numbers. Practice by counting objects around you.
2. Practice at the market: Even simulated market dialogues using numbers build fluency. Ask "Èló ni?" (How much?) and practice hearing and saying prices.
3. Learn the math behind higher numbers: Understanding that 15 = 20-5 and 25 = 20+5 helps you decode numbers you hear rather than memorizing each one individually.

Related Concepts

• Next steps: Market and Shopping -- apply numbers in real shopping scenarios