Unit 9 — Numerals

Overview

In Unit 8, you practised reading simple Nepali words and phrases.

In this unit, you will learn Nepali numerals.

Nepali uses its own number symbols.

For example:

१
ek
one

२
duī
two

३
tīn
three

You will learn each number in three ways:

1. the English digit
2. the Nepali digit
3. the Nepali word with transliteration

For example:

You will also learn how to count people, objects, and animals using classifiers.

In this unit, you will learn:

1. Nepali numerals from ० to २०
2. how to read Nepali number symbols
3. how to use numbers with nouns
4. how to use वटा (waṭā) for objects and animals
5. how to use जना (janā) for people
6. how to ask “how many?” using कति (kati)

You do not need to memorize all the numbers immediately.

The goal is to recognize the symbols, read the words, and use numbers in simple phrases.

1. Nepali Numerals

Nepali numerals are used in everyday life.

You may see them in:

1. dates
2. page numbers
3. prices
4. phone numbers
5. bus numbers
6. addresses
7. clock times

For example:

१ = ek
२ = duī
३ = tīn

Simple Rule

Learn each number as a three-part unit:

Nepali digit + Nepali word + transliteration

Example:

५
पाँच
pā̃c

2. Numbers ०–२०

Read and listen to the table slowly.

First, look at the Nepali digit.

Then listen to the audio.

Then read the Nepali word.

Finally, read the transliteration aloud.

Table 1.9.1 – Nepali Numbers ०–२०

A quick‑reference table of Nepali cardinal numbers.

Learner Tip

Some Nepali numbers have nasal sounds.

For example:

पाँच
pā̃c
five

Practise saying the nasal vowel gently.

3. Try It Now

Read the numbers aloud.

Numbers ०–१०

० — शून्य — śūnya
१ — एक — ek
२ — दुई — duī
३ — तीन — tīn
४ — चार — cār
५ — पाँच — pā̃c
६ — छ — cha
७ — सात — sāt
८ — आठ — āṭh
९ — नौ — nau
१० — दश — daś

Read slowly first.

Then read again more naturally.

You can use the audio recorder below to record yourself. Listen to your recording and check whether each number is clear.

4. Counting with Classifiers

Nepali often uses classifiers when counting nouns.

A classifier is a short counting word.

It comes between the number and the noun.

The basic pattern is:

[number] + [classifier] + [noun]

For example:

एक वटा किताब
ek waṭā kitāb
one book

दुई जना विद्यार्थी
duī janā widyārthī
two students

At the beginner level, focus on two common classifiers:

1. वटा (waṭā)
2. जना (janā)

5. General Classifier: वटा (waṭā)

वटा (waṭā) is a general classifier.

It is used for many countable things, such as:

1. books
2. pens
3. notebooks
4. chairs
5. bags
6. animals

The pattern is:

[number] + वटा (waṭā) + [noun]

Examples:

दुई वटा कलम
duī waṭā kalam
two pens

चार वटा कुर्सी
cār waṭā kursī
four chairs

Simple Rule

Use वटा (waṭā) when counting many objects and animals.

Table 1.9.2 - General classifier: वटा (waṭā)

Notice: किताब, कलम, कापी, कुर्सी, कुकुर remain unchanged. Nepali does not require plural marking like -हरू in these cases.

Learner Tip

Notice that the noun does not need to change.

For example:

एक वटा किताब
ek waṭā kitāb
one book

दुई वटा किताब
duī waṭā kitāb
two books

The word किताब (kitāb) stays the same.

7. Human Classifier: जना (janā)

जना (janā) is used for counting people.

The pattern is:

[number] + जना (janā) + [person word]

Examples:

एक जना विद्यार्थी
ek janā widyārthī
one student

दुई जना शिक्षक
duī janā śikṣak
two teachers

तीन जना साथी
tīn janā sāthī
three friends

Simple Rule

Use जना (janā) when counting people.

Table 1.9.3 - Human classifier: जना (janā)

Learner Tip

Use जना (janā) only for people.

For objects, use वटा (waṭā).

9. वटा (waṭā) or जना (janā)?

Use the chart below to help you choose.

Table 1.9.4 – Choosing the Correct Classifier

Simple Rule

Objects and animals: वटा (waṭā)
People: जना (janā)

10. Asking “How Many?”

In Nepali, कति (kati) means “how many?”

When asking about objects or animals, use:

कति वटा …?
kati waṭā …?
how many …?

When asking about people, use:

कति जना …?
kati janā …?
how many people …?

11. Questions with कति वटा (kati waṭā)

Use कति वटा (kati waṭā) when asking about objects or animals.

Table 1.9.5 – कति वटा …? (kati waṭā …?)

Try It Now

Practise asking and answering:

यहाँ कति वटा किताब छन्?
yahā̃ kati waṭā kitāb chan?

यहाँ दुई वटा किताब छन्।
yahā̃ duī waṭā kitāb chan.

12. Questions with कति जना (kati janā)

Use कति जना (kati janā) when asking about people.

Table 1.9.6 – कति जना …? (kati janā …?)

Try It Now

Practise asking and answering:

तपाईंको परिवारमा कति जना छन्?
tapāī̃ko pariwārmā kati janā chan?

मेरो परिवारमा चार जना छन्।
mero pariwārmā cār janā chan.

Change the number to match your own family.