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From otu to ijeri: tap the numbers, learn the tens and hear why a billion means “uncountable”.
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Lesson 1 of 3
One to ten
Count with me
Tap each number to count!
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Spelling notes
Some numbers have more than one form. Nine is itoolu or iteghete. One is otu, and ofu in some dialects. Eight is ịsafọ in Onitsha.
Match the numbers
Tap two cards that belong together.
otu = 1
atọ = 3
ise = 5
asaa = 7
iri = 10
Lesson 2 of 3
Tens, teens and big numbers
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Joining with na
Numbers are joined with na, “and”. iri na asaa is 17, but iri asaa is 70.
The modern decimal system builds on iri “ten”: iri abụọ is 20 (“two tens”) and nari anọ is 400.
Useful numbers
Number
Igbo
Note
11
iri na otu
ten and one
17
iri na asaa
ten and seven
20
iri abụọ
two tens
30
iri atọ
three tens
70
iri asaa
seven tens
100
nari
400
nari anọ
1,000
puku
a loan word
1,000,000
nde
1,000,000,000
ijeri
literally “uncountable”
Match the bigger numbers
Tap two cards that belong together.
iri na asaa = 17
iri asaa = 70
iri abụọ = 20
nari = 100
Lesson 3 of 3
Twenties, order and time
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Counting by twenties
Traditional Igbo counting was by twenties: ogụ (or ọhụ) for 20 and nnụ for 400. This is called a vigesimal system. The modern system replaced them with combinations such as iri abụọ and nari anọ.
Order and time words
Tap to flip
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Did you know?
To ask the time, learners are taught Kedu ihe na-akụ ugbu a? The clock is a modern borrowing, which is why its words are different from the old market-day system.