Have you always been fascinated by the enigmatic allure of Russian culture, its rich history, and its captivating language? If so, learning how to count in Russian is an essential step towards unlocking the secrets of this captivating country. Counting is a fundamental skill that forms the basis of everyday communication and mathematical operations, providing a gateway into a world of new possibilities. Embark on this linguistic adventure with us as we guide you through the intricacies of Russian numbers, step by step, and unveil the beauty and logic behind this unique counting system.
The Russian language employs two distinct counting systems: the cardinal system and the ordinal system. The cardinal system is used for counting objects, while the ordinal system is used for indicating the order or position of something in a sequence. In the cardinal system, the numbers from one to ten are: один (odin), два (dva), три (tri), четыре (chetyre), пять (pyat), шесть (shest), семь (sem), восемь (vosem), девять (devyat), and десять (desyat). These numbers form the foundation of the Russian counting system and are essential for expressing quantities and amounts.
Beyond the basic numbers, the Russian counting system introduces a unique pattern in the formation of larger numbers. Numbers from eleven to nineteen are formed by combining the numbers from two to ten with the suffix -надцать (-nadtsat). For example, eleven is одиннадцать (odinnadtsat), twelve is двенадцать (dvenadtsat), and so on. Numbers from twenty to ninety-nine are formed by combining the numbers from two to ten with the suffix -дцать (-dtsat). For example, twenty is двадцать (dvadtsat), thirty is тридцать (tridtsat), and so on. These patterns provide a logical structure to the Russian counting system, making it easier to learn and remember.
Counting from 11 to 20
Counting from 11 to 20 in Russian is quite straightforward. The numbers 11 to 19 are formed by adding the suffix “-надцать” to the root number. For example, 11 is “одиннадцать” (odin-nadt-sat), 12 is “двенадцать” (dve-nadt-sat), and so on.
The number 3
The number 3 is unique in Russian as it has two forms, “три” (tri) and “тре” (tre). The form “три” is used when counting objects or in isolation, while the form “тре” is used when the number 3 is part of a larger number, such as 13 or 30.
Here is a table summarizing the numbers from 11 to 20 in Russian:
| Number | Russian |
|---|---|
| 11 | Одиннадцать (odin-nadt-sat) |
| 12 | Двенадцать (dve-nadt-sat) |
| 13 | Тринадцать (tri-nadt-sat) |
| 14 | Четырнадцать (che-tyr-nadt-sat) |
| 15 | Пятнадцать (pyat-nadt-sat) |
| 16 | Шестнадцать (shest-nadt-sat) |
| 17 | Семнадцать (sem-nadt-sat) |
| 18 | Восемнадцать (vo-sem-nadt-sat) |
| 19 | Девятнадцать (dev-yat-nadt-sat) |
| 20 | Двадцать (dvad-tsat) |
Counting Thousands
Counting in thousands in Russian follows a similar pattern to counting in hundreds. The word for “thousand” in Russian is “тысяча” (tysyacha). To form the number “thousand,” you simply add the word “тысяча” after the number. For example:
1 thousand = одна тысяча (odna tysyacha)
2 thousand = две тысячи (dve tysyachi)
5 thousand = пять тысяч (pyat tysyach)
When counting in thousands, it is important to note that the word “тысяча” changes its ending depending on the number that precedes it. The following table shows the different forms of “тысяча” used in different numbers:
| Number | Form of “тысяча” |
|---|---|
| 1 | тысяча |
| 2-4 | тысячи |
| 5-20 | тысяч |
| 21-100 | тысяча |
For example:
10 thousand = десять тысяч (desyat tysyach)
15 thousand = пятнадцать тысяч (pyatnadtsat tysyach)
100 thousand = сто тысяч (sto tysyach)
Special Cases in Russian Counting
Russian counting presents several unique cases that deviate from the standard rules. These exceptions typically arise in irregular declensions, specific contexts, and when numerals are followed by nouns.
Number 7
The number 7, семь (sem’), has a special form, семеро (semero), when it appears as the subject of a sentence. This form is used for both masculine and feminine nouns, and plural nouns take the ending -ы, as in семеро козлят (semero kozyat, “seven goats”).
In all other cases, the standard form семь is used. For instance, when 7 is the object of a verb or a prepositional phrase, it retains the form семь. Similarly, when it is used in expressions of time or age, the standard form is employed.
| Context | Form |
|---|---|
| Subject of a sentence | Семеро (semero) |
| Object of a verb/preposition | Семь (sem’) |
| Expression of time/age | Семь (sem’) |
Understanding these special cases is crucial for accurate and natural Russian counting. By mastering these exceptions, you can enhance your communication skills and avoid any potential confusion in numerical expressions.
How to Count in Russian
Counting in Russian may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you understand the basic principles. The Russian counting system is decimal, meaning it’s based on the number 10. The numbers 0-10 are as follows:
- 0 – Ноль (nol)
- 1 – Один (odin)
- 2 – Два (dva)
- 3 – Три (tri)
- 4 – Четыре (chetyre)
- 5 – Пять (pyat)
- 6 – Шесть (shest)
- 7 – Семь (sem)
- 8 – Восемь (vosem)
- 9 – Девять (devyat)
- 10 – Десять (desyat)
To count from 11 to 20, you simply add the word “надцать” to the number. For example, 11 is “одиннадцать” (odinnadtsat), 12 is “двенадцать” (dvenadtsat), and so on. From 21 to 99, you use the following format:
десять + X + ть/и
where X is the number in the tens place and “ть” is used for numbers ending in 2, 3, or 4, and “и” is used for all other numbers. For example, 22 is “двадцать два” (dvadtsat dva), 35 is “тридцать пять” (tridtsat pyat), and 99 is “девяносто девять” (devyanosto devyat).
To count from 100 to 999, you use the following format:
сотня + X + ть/и
where X is the number in the hundreds place. For example, 100 is “сто” (sto), 250 is “двести пятьдесят” (dvesti pyatdesyat), and 999 is “девятьсот девяносто девять” (devyatsot devyanosto devyat).
To count from 1,000 to 999,999, you use the following format:
тысяча + X + ть/и
where X is the number in the thousands place. For example, 1,000 is “тысяча” (tysyacha), 2,500 is “две тысячи пятьсот” (dve tysyachi pyatdesyat), and 999,999 is “девятьсот девяносто девять тысяч девятьсот девяносто девять” (devyatsot devyanosto devyat tysyach devyanosto devyat).
People Also Ask About How to Count in Russian
What is the easiest way to learn to count in Russian?
The easiest way to learn to count in Russian is to start with the basics and gradually add more numbers. You can use flashcards or a counting chart to practice. It’s also helpful to listen to native Russian speakers count and to try counting out loud yourself.
What are the most common mistakes people make when counting in Russian?
One of the most common mistakes people make is confusing the masculine and feminine forms of the numbers. Another mistake is pronouncing the numbers incorrectly. It’s important to practice speaking the numbers out loud to get the pronunciation right.
Is it hard to learn to count in Russian?
Learning to count in Russian is not difficult, but it does take some practice. Once you understand the basic principles, you’ll be able to count in Russian with confidence.
