Counting in Tamil 1 to 100: Numbers + Tables [Complete Guide]
All Tamil numbers from 1 to 100 with tables, pronunciation and Tamil script. Tamil numeral system explained simply by a qualified teacher.
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 | Traditional symbol | Transliteration | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ஒன்று | ௧ | Oṉṟu | "on-dru" |
| 2 | இரண்டு | ௨ | Iraṇṭu | "i-ran-du" |
| 3 | மூன்று | ௩ | Mūṉṟu | "moon-dru" |
| 4 | நான்கு | ௪ | Nāṉku | "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 | — |
| 100 | நூறு | Nūṟu | — |
From 20 to 80, the tens use a form of the unit followed by பது. For example, இரு gives இருபது (20). Learn தொண்ணூறு (90) separately.
Building Compound Numbers (11 to 99)
The Tamil system is very regular: ten + unit. Here are examples:
| Number | Tamil | Transliteration | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | பதினொன்று | Patiṉoṉṟu | பத்து (10) + ஒன்று (1) |
| 15 | பதினைந்து | Patiṉaintu | பத்து (10) + ஐந்து (5) |
| 21 | இருபத்தொன்று | Irupattoṉṟu | இருபது (20) + ஒன்று (1) |
| 25 | இருபத்தைந்து | Irupattaintu | இருபது (20) + ஐந்து (5) |
| 33 | முப்பத்து மூன்று | Muppattu mūṉṟu | முப்பது (30) + மூன்று (3) |
| 42 | நாற்பத்திரண்டு | Nāṟpattiraṇṭu | நாற்பது (40) + இரண்டு (2) |
| 56 | ஐம்பத்தாறு | Aimpattāṟu | ஐம்பது (50) + ஆறு (6) |
| 78 | எழுபத்தெட்டு | Eḻupatteṭṭu | எழுபது (70) + எட்டு (8) |
| 99 | தொண்ணூற்றொன்பது | Toṇṇūṟṟoṉpatu | தொண்ணூறு (90) + ஒன்பது (9) |
In standard written compounds, the tens form changes before the unit. For example, இருபது gives இருபத்து மூன்று before a consonant and இருபத்தொன்று before a vowel. With தொண்ணூறு, the combining form is தொண்ணூற்று, as in தொண்ணூற்றொன்பது.
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 | Kōṭi |
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 கொடுங்கள் (Iraṇṭu kilō koṭuṅkaḷ) — "Two kilos please"
Telling time
- இப்போது மூன்று மணி (Ippōtu mūṉṟu maṇi) — "It's three o'clock"
Giving your age
- எனக்கு முப்பது வயது (Eṉakku muppatu vayatu) — "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 discovery 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 = முந்நூறு (Munnūṟu), 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.
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