A1 - Numbers and counting in Malay
Apa khabar semua? (How are everyone?)
After learning some greetings, let's move on to numbers and counting. This will be beneficial for your daily conversations and understanding of the Malay language.
Numbers in Malay
Here are the basic numbers in Malay, with syllables highlighted in different colors for better memorization:
- One: Satu
- Two: Dua
- Three: Tiga
- Four: Empat
- Five: Lima
- Six: Enam
- Seven: Tujuh
- Eight: Lapan
- Nine: Sembilan
- Ten: Sepuluh
- Eleven: Sebelas
For numbers 12 to 19, you simply add the number to "belas" (which means "teen"). For example:
- Twelve: Dua belas (2 + 10)
For multiples of ten (20, 30, 40, ..., 90), you use the number followed by "puluh" (which means "tens"). For example:
- Twenty: Dua puluh (2 x 10)
I found this video, check it out if you want to hear the pronouciation.
Austronesian Shared Vocabulary
The Austronesian language family shares many similarities in numbering. Below is a table that illustrates these similarities across various Austronesian languages:
| Language | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samoan | tasi | lua | tolu | fa | lima | ono | fitu | valu | iva | sefulu |
| Rarotongan | tai | rua | toru | a | rima | ono | itu | varu | iva | ta'ingauru |
| Hawaiian | kahi | lua | kolu | ha | lima | ono | hiku | walu | iva | 'umi |
| Tuvalu | tasi | lua | tolu | fa | lima | ono | fitu | valu | iva | sefulu |
| Rapanui | tahi | rua | toru | ha | rima | ono | hitu | vau | iva | angahuru |
| Rotuman | ta | rua | tolu | ha | lima | ono | hifu | valu | siva | saghula |
| Maori | tahi | rua | toru | wha | rima | ono | whitu | waru | iwa | tekau |
| Tongan | taha | ua | tolu | fa | nima | ono | fitu | valu | hiva | hongofulu |
| Fijian | dua | rua | tolu | va | lima | ono | vitu | walu | civa | sagavulu |
| Cebuano (Visayan) | usa | duha | tulo | upat | lima | unum | pito | walo | siyam | napulo |
| Tagalog | isa | dalawa | tatlo | apat | lima | anim | pito | walo | siyam | sampu |
| Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia | satu | dua | tiga | empat | lima | enam | tujuh | lapan | sembilan | sepuluh |
Practice Tips
- Memorize the Basic Numbers: Start by memorizing the numbers from one to ten.
- Count Objects: Practice counting objects around you to get comfortable with the numbers.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the numbers and their Malay translations to help with memorization.
- Role-Play: Practice using numbers in conversations, such as asking for the time or counting items.
Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)