Basic Numbers

Welcome to your second Tagalog lesson! Today, we'll learn how to count in Tagalog. Counting is a superpower for shopping, playing games, and more! We'll focus on the most common numbers you'll need.

Cardinal Numbers (Focus on 1-100)

Tagalog numbers are fairly regular. Let's focus on the ones you'll use most often.

Basic Numbers (1-10)

1 - isa
2 - dalawa
3 - tatlo
4 - apat
5 - lima
6 - anim
7 - pito
8 - walo
9 - siyam
10 - sampu

Numbers 11-19

For numbers 11-19, we use the pattern "labing-" + the ones digit:

11 - labing-isa
12 - labindalawa
13 - labintatlo
14 - labing-apat
15 - labinlima
16 - labing-anim
17 - labimpito
18 - labingwalo
19 - labinsiyam

Multiples of 10 (20-90)

For multiples of 10, we use the pattern "dalawampu't" (20), "tatlumpu't" (30), etc.:

20 - dalawampu
30 - tatlumpu
40 - apatnapu
50 - limampu
60 - animnapu
70 - pitumpu
80 - walumpu
90 - siyamnapu

Numbers 21-99

For numbers in between tens, we add "'t" + the ones digit:

21 - dalawampu't isa (20 and 1)
32 - tatlumpu't dalawa (30 and 2)
45 - apatnapu't lima (40 and 5)
99 - siyamnapu't siyam (90 and 9)

Hundreds and Thousands (Recognition)

It's useful to recognize these, especially for prices:

100 - isang daan
200 - dalawang daan
1000 - isang libo

(You might also hear Spanish numbers used sometimes, especially for telling time or age!)

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are used for order, like first, second, third, and so on. You’ll hear them in dates, instructions, and everyday conversations. Here are some of the most common ones:

1st – una / ika-1
2nd – pangalawa / ikalawa
3rd – pangatlo / ikatlo
4th – pang-apat / ika-4
5th – panlima / ika-5
6th – pang-anim / ika-6
7th – pampito / ika-7
8th – pangwalo / ika-8
9th – pansiyam / ika-9
10th – pansampu / ika-10

Some are especially common in everyday life: Una (first), pangalawa (second), Pangatlo (third) and pang-apat (fourth) often come up in lists or instructions.

Tip: The “pang-” prefix is used for most ordinals, but the form can change a little depending on the number.

Practice Time!

Try counting objects around you in Tagalog, fingers, books, or even snacks! Can you count up to ten without looking?

Practical Exercises

Imagine you are shopping. Ask "Magkano ito?" (How much is this?). Try to understand simple prices using numbers 1-100 (e.g., "Limampu't lima" - 55).

Quiz

Let’s put your new skills to the test! Try the quiz below to check your understanding of basic numbers in Tagalog.

Wrap-Up

Great job! You’ve learned how to count and use numbers in Tagalog. Keep practicing by counting objects around you and using numbers in real conversations.

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