Counting in Tamil from 1 to 100: Tamil Numbers Explained
Learn Tamil numbers from 1 to 100 with pronunciation and Tamil script. Complete guide by a native teacher with tables, tips, and the logic behind the number system.
Tamil numbers have their own unique writing system, distinct from the Arabic numerals used in English. Learning to count in Tamil is a fundamental step for any beginner. Here's a complete guide to mastering numbers from 1 to 100.
Tamil Numbers 1 to 10
Let's start with the essentials: the first ten numbers every learner must know.
| Number | Tamil | Tamil Digit | Transliteration | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ஒன்று | ௧ | Oṉḏṟu | "on-dru" |
| 2 | இரண்டு | ௨ | Iraṇḍu | "i-ran-du" |
| 3 | மூன்று | ௩ | Mūṉḏṟu | "moon-dru" |
| 4 | நான்கு | ௪ | Nāṉgu | "naan-gu" |
| 5 | ஐந்து | ௫ | Aintu | "ain-tu" |
| 6 | ஆறு | ௬ | Āṟu | "aa-ru" |
| 7 | ஏழு | ௭ | Ēḻu | "ay-zhu" |
| 8 | எட்டு | ௮ | Eṭṭu | "et-tu" |
| 9 | ஒன்பது | ௯ | Oṉpatu | "on-pa-tu" |
| 10 | பத்து | ௰ | Pattu | "pat-tu" |
Tamil digits (௧, ௨, ௩...) are still used in some official and literary contexts in Tamil Nadu. In daily life, Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...) are more common, but knowing Tamil digits will impress native speakers!
Tens from 10 to 100
Once you've mastered the single digits, let's learn the tens:
| Number | Tamil | Transliteration | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | பத்து | Pattu | — |
| 20 | இருபது | Irupatu | இரண்டு (2) + பத்து (10) |
| 30 | முப்பது | Muppatu | மூன்று (3) + பத்து (10) |
| 40 | நாற்பது | Nāṟpatu | நான்கு (4) + பத்து (10) |
| 50 | ஐம்பது | Aimpatu | ஐந்து (5) + பத்து (10) |
| 60 | அறுபது | Aṟupatu | ஆறு (6) + பத்து (10) |
| 70 | எழுபது | Eḻupatu | ஏழு (7) + பத்து (10) |
| 80 | எண்பது | Eṇpatu | எட்டு (8) + பத்து (10) |
| 90 | தொண்ணூறு | Toṇṇūṟu | ஒன்பது (9) + பத்து (10) |
| 100 | நூறு | Nūṟu | — |
Notice the pattern: each ten is a contraction of the digit + "pattu" (ten). For example, 20 = இரு (shortened form of இரண்டு = 2) + பது (shortened form of பத்து = 10). Once you understand this logic, the numbers become predictable!
Building Compound Numbers (11 to 99)
The Tamil system is very regular: ten + unit. Here are examples:
| Number | Tamil | Transliteration | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | பதினொன்று | Patiṉoṉḏṟu | பத்து (10) + ஒன்று (1) |
| 15 | பதினைந்து | Patiṉaintu | பத்து (10) + ஐந்து (5) |
| 21 | இருபத்தி ஒன்று | Irupatti oṉḏṟu | இருபது (20) + ஒன்று (1) |
| 25 | இருபத்தி ஐந்து | Irupatti aintu | இருபது (20) + ஐந்து (5) |
| 33 | முப்பத்தி மூன்று | Muppatti mūṉḏṟu | முப்பது (30) + மூன்று (3) |
| 42 | நாற்பத்தி இரண்டு | Nāṟpatti iraṇḍu | நாற்பது (40) + இரண்டு (2) |
| 56 | ஐம்பத்தி ஆறு | Aimpatti āṟu | ஐம்பது (50) + ஆறு (6) |
| 78 | எழுபத்தி எட்டு | Eḻupatti eṭṭu | எழுபது (70) + எட்டு (8) |
| 99 | தொண்ணூற்றி ஒன்பது | Toṇṇūṟṟi oṉpatu | தொண்ணூறு (90) + ஒன்பது (9) |
For compound numbers, the ten takes the suffix -த்தி (-tti) before the unit (except for tens ending in 10 and 90 which have special forms). Example: இருபது → இருபத்தி, முப்பது → முப்பத்தி.
Large Numbers in Tamil
Tamil uses a numbering system that differs from the Western system for large numbers:
| Number | Tamil | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | நூறு | Nūṟu |
| 1,000 | ஆயிரம் | Āyiram |
| 100,000 (1 lakh) | இலட்சம் | Ilaṭcam |
| 10,000,000 (1 crore) | கோடி | Kōḍi |
In India (and Sri Lanka), people use lakh (100,000) and crore (10 million) instead of millions and billions. So 5 million is "50 lakhs" (ஐம்பது இலட்சம்), not "5 million." This system is used in everyday life for prices, salaries, populations, etc.
Using Numbers in Daily Life
Here are practical situations where you'll need Tamil numbers:
At the market
- இது எவ்வளவு? (Itu evvaḷavu?) — "How much is this?"
- இரண்டு கிலோ தாங்க (Iraṇḍu kilō tāṅga) — "Two kilos please"
Telling time
- இப்போது மூன்று மணி (Ippōtu mūṉḏṟu maṇi) — "It's three o'clock"
Giving your age
- எனக்கு முப்பது வயசு (Eṉakku muppatu vayasu) — "I'm 30 years old"
Phone numbers
Phone numbers are said digit by digit, just like in English.
Practice Numbers with a Native Teacher
Numbers are essential in any language. Pronouncing Tamil numbers, especially the retroflex sounds (ṭ, ṇ, ḍ), requires a native ear to correct your mistakes.
Want to count in Tamil with proper pronunciation? Book your free first lesson.
FAQ: Counting in Tamil
Does Tamil have its own number system?
Yes, Tamil has its own set of digits (௧, ௨, ௩, ௪, ௫, ௬, ௭, ௮, ௯, ௰) distinct from Arabic numerals. They're still used in official and literary texts in Tamil Nadu, though Arabic numerals are more common in daily life.
How do you say 100 in Tamil?
100 is நூறு (Nūṟu) in Tamil. For compound hundreds: 200 = இருநூறு (Irunūṟu), 300 = முன்னூறு (Muṉṉūṟu), etc. The system follows the same logical pattern as the tens.
Are Tamil numbers difficult to learn?
No, the Tamil number system is very logical and regular. Once you master the 10 basic digits and the tens, you can construct any number using composition rules. It's actually simpler than French numbers (no irregularities like "soixante-dix" for 70) and as regular as English.
What's the difference between lakh and million?
A lakh (இலட்சம்) equals 100,000 (one hundred thousand). One million equals 10 lakhs. The Indian system used in Tamil uses lakh and crore (கோடி) = 10 million, instead of millions and billions. This system is standard across South Asia.
Related articles.
50 Essential Tamil Words: Basic Vocabulary for Beginners
The 50 most useful Tamil words and phrases with pronunciation and Tamil script. Essential vocabulary organized by theme for beginners, by a native Tamil teacher.
How to Say Hello in Tamil: Greetings and Polite Expressions
Learn how to say hello in Tamil with correct pronunciation. Vanakkam and all Tamil greetings explained by a native Tamil teacher with 15+ years of experience.