Mongolian Numbers

Learning Mongolian, a language spoken predominantly in Mongolia and parts of China, offers a unique insight into the culture and history of the Mongolian people. A crucial component of mastering this language is understanding its numerical system. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Mongolian numbers, including pronunciation guides, structural explanations, and practical applications to facilitate learners at all levels.

Introduction to Mongolian Numerals

The Mongolian numerical system is decimal-based, similar to many world languages, but with its unique linguistic characteristics. Proficiency in numbers is vital for effective communication in both formal and informal contexts within Mongolian-speaking regions.

Basic Numbers (1-10)

Starting with the basics, here are the numbers one through ten in Mongolian, along with phonetic transliterations for pronunciation aid:

Нэг (Neg) – [neg] – One
Хоёр (Khoyor) – [hoy-er] – Two
Гурав (Gurav) – [goo-rahv] – Three
Дөрөв (Döröv) – [dor-ov] – Four
Тав (Tav) – [tahv] – Five
Зургаа (Zurgaa) – [zoor-gah] – Six
Долоо (Doloo) – [doh-loh] – Seven
Найм (Naim) – [nime] – Eight
Ес (Yes) – [yes] – Nine
Арав (Arav) – [ah-rahv] – Ten

Forming Numbers (11-19)

Numbers 11 through 19 in Mongolian have a relatively straightforward pattern:

Арван нэгэн (Arvan negen) – [ˈarvɑn neɡen] – 11
Арван хоёр (Arvan khoyor) – [ˈarvɑn χɔjɔr] – 12
Арван гурав (Arvan gurav) – [ˈarvɑn ɡurav] – 13
Арван дөрөв (Arvan döröv) – [ˈarvɑn dørøv] – 14
Арван тав (Arvan tav) – [ˈarvɑn tɑv] – 15
Арван зургаа (Arvan zurgaa) – [ˈarvɑn zurɡaː] – 16
Арван долоон (Arvan doloon) – [ˈarvɑn dɔlɔnː] – 17
Арван найман (Arvan naiman) – [ˈarvɑn naiman] – 18
Арван есөн (Arvan yeson) – [ˈarvɑn jesön] – 19

Counting in Tens (20-100)

To form larger numbers and for practical applications, understanding how to count by tens is essential:

Хорин (Khorin) – [hoh-reen] – 20
Гучин (Guchin) – [goo-chin] – 30
Дөчин (Döchin) – [do-chin] – 40
Тавин (Tavin) – [tah-vin] – 50
Жаран (Jarang) – [zha-ran] – 60
Далан (Dalang) – [dah-lahn] – 70
Наян (Nayan) – [nah-yan] – 80
Ерэн (Yeren) – [ye-ren] – 90
Зуу (Zuu) – [zoo] – 100

Compound Numbers (21-99)

For numbers between 21 and 99, Mongolian forms compound numbers using the ten followed by the unit, often without a conjunction:

Хорин нэг (Khorin neg) – [hoh-reen neg] – 21
Гучин гурав (Guchin gurav) – [goo-chin goo-rahv] – 33
This pattern repeats for all numbers in this range.

Larger Numbers

Discussing larger quantities, dates, and other numerical information requires familiarity with these terms:

Зуу (Zuu) – [zoo] – 100
Мянга (Myanga) – [myahn-gah] – 1,000
Арван мянга (Arvan myanga) – [ahr-vahn myahn-gah] – 10,000
Тэрбум (Terbum) – [tehr-buhm] – 100,000,000 (One hundred million; note that Mongolian uses a different large number system)

Practice and Exercises

Listening and Pronunciation Practice: Engage with Mongolian audio resources or language learning apps to hear the pronunciation of numbers. Practice speaking them aloud.
Writing and Reading: Write numbers in both numeral and word forms to improve your literacy in Mongolian.
Practical Application: Use numbers in real-life situations, such as discussing prices or planning schedules, to reinforce learning.

Tips for Effective Learning

Regular Practice: Consistent interaction with Mongolian numbers will enhance your recall and understanding.
Flashcards: Use flashcards with numbers on one side and their word forms on the reverse to test your memory.
Language Exchange: Practice speaking with native speakers or fellow learners. Using numbers in conversation will improve your fluency and confidence.

Conclusion

Achieving fluency in Mongolian numbers is a crucial step toward effective communication and deeper cultural understanding. Begin with the basics, gradually move to more complex numbers, and incorporate regular practice into your study routine. With patience and consistent effort, you’ll find yourself confidently navigating numerical contexts in Mongolian.