Chapter 1 – Script and Pronunciation
Unit 9 — Numerals
Overview
This unit introduces the core Nepali numeral system from ० to १० and shows how these numerals are used in simple counting and everyday expressions. Each numeral is treated as a three-way mapping between its devanāgarī symbol (e.g., ३), its spoken form in Nepali (तीन), and its IAST representation (tīn), so that learners can move flexibly between script, sound, and meaning.
Alongside the numerals themselves, the unit highlights how Nepali encodes number with classifiers rather than plural endings on nouns. In particular, it focuses on the general classifier वटा (waṭā) for inanimate objects and animals, and the human classifier जना (janā) for counting people, using patterns such as एक वटा किताब (ek waṭā kitāb) or “one book” and दुई जना विद्यार्थी (duī janā widyārthī) or “two students.”
Nepali numerals ०–२०
The symbols ०–२० form the basic set of Nepali decimal numerals and appear constantly in everyday reading—dates, page numbers, prices, bus routes, and clock times. In this section, you will learn each numeral as a three-part unit: the devanāgarī symbol, its spoken Nepali form, and its IAST spelling. Work through the chart row by row, reading across each line so that the visual symbol is always linked to its pronunciation and meaning.
Table 1.9.1 – Numbers 1-20
A quick‑reference table of Nepali cardinal numbers.
| English digit | Nepali digit | Nepali | Transliteration | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ० | शून्य | śūnya |
|
| 1 | १ | एक | ek |
|
| 2 | २ | दुई | duī |
|
| 3 | ३ | तीन | tīn |
|
| 4 | ४ | चार | cār |
|
| 5 | ५ | पाँच | pā̃c |
|
| 6 | ६ | छ | cha |
|
| 7 | ७ | सात | sāt |
|
| 8 | ८ | आठ | āṭh |
|
| 9 | ९ | नौ | nau |
|
| 10 | १० | दस | das |
|
| 11 | ११ | एघार | eghāra |
|
| 12 | १२ | बाह्र | bāhra |
|
| 13 | १३ | तेह्र | tehra |
|
| 14 | १४ | चौध | caudha |
|
| 15 | १५ | पन्ध्र | pandhra |
|
| 16 | १६ | सोह्र | sohra |
|
| 17 | १७ | सत्र | satra |
|
| 18 | १८ | अठार | aṭhāra |
|
| 19 | १९ | उन्नाइस | unnāis |
|
| 20 | २० | बीस | bīs |
|
Counting with Classifiers
Nepali often uses classifiers when counting. A classifier is a short counting word that comes between the numeral and the noun to show what kind of thing is being counted. At the beginner level, you mainly need two classifiers:
- वटा (waṭā) = general classifier for objects (and often animals)
- जना (janā) = classifier for people
Big idea: Nepali usually counts as
[number] + [classifier] + [noun]
1) General classifier: वटा (waṭā)
In Nepali, वटा (waṭā) is a very common general classifier used when counting many everyday, countable things—such as books, pens, bags, chairs, and often animals. The basic pattern is:
[number] + वटा (waṭā) + [noun]
For example:
- दुई वटा कलम (duī waṭā kalam) — two pens
- चार वटा कुर्सी (cār waṭā kursī) — four chairs
Table 1.9.2 - General classifier: वटा (waṭā)
| Numeral | Nepali phrase | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| १ | एक वटा किताब | ek waṭā kitāb | one book |
| २ | दुई वटा कलम | duī waṭā kalam | two pens |
| ३ | तीन वटा कापी | tīn waṭā kāpī | three notebooks |
| ४ | चार वटा कुर्सी | cār waṭā kursī | four chairs |
| ५ | पाँच वटा कुकुर | pā̃c waṭā kukur | five dogs |
Notice: किताब, कलम, कापी, कुर्सी, कुकुर remain unchanged. Nepali does not require plural marking like -हरू in these cases.
2) Human classifier: जना (janā)
जना (janā) is used specifically for counting people.
Pattern:
[number] + जना (janā) + [human noun]
Table 1.9.3 - Human classifier: जना (janā)
| Numeral | Nepali phrase | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| १ | एक जना विद्यार्थी | ek janā widyārthī | one student |
| २ | दुई जना शिक्षक | duī janā śikṣak | two teachers |
| ३ | तीन जना साथी | tīn janā sāthī | three friends |
| ४ | चार जना कामदार | cār janā kāmdār | four workers |
| ५ | पाँच जना बच्चा | pā̃c janā baccā | five children |
Counting Questions in Nepali
In Nepali, कति? (kati?) means “how many?” and is used with classifiers.
Table 1.9.4 – कति वटा …? (kati waṭā …?)
| Nepali | Transliteration | English | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| यहाँ कति वटा किताब छन्? | yahā̃ kati waṭā kitāb chan? | How many books are here? |
|
| → यहाँ दुई वटा किताब छन्। | yahā̃ duī waṭā kitāb chan. | There are two books here. | |
| कक्षामा कति वटा कुर्सी छन्? | kakṣāmā kati waṭā kursī chan? | How many chairs are in the classroom? | |
| → कक्षामा दस वटा कुर्सी छन्। | kakṣāmā das waṭā kursī chan. | There are ten chairs in the classroom. |
Table 1.9.5 – कति जना …? (kati janā …?)
| Nepali | Transliteration | English | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| कक्षामा कति जना विद्यार्थी छन्? | kakṣāmā kati janā widyārthī chan? | How many students are in the classroom? |
|
| → कक्षामा पाँच जना विद्यार्थी छन्। | kakṣāmā pā̃c janā widyārthī chan. | There are five students in the classroom. | |
| तपाईंको परिवारमा कति जना छन्? | tapāī̃ko pariwārmā kati janā chan? | How many people are in your family? | |
| → मेरो परिवारमा चार जना छन्। | mero pariwārmā chār janā chan. | There are four people in my family. |
Check Your Understanding
Self Reflection
Key Takeaways
- Nepali uses its own numeral symbols ०–१०, which should be learned alongside IAST and spoken forms
- These numbers appear in everyday contexts such as dates, prices, and times
- Nepali uses classifiers rather than plural noun endings
- वटा (waṭā) is used for objects and animals
- जना (janā) is used for people
