Difference between revisions of "Numerals"

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(→‎Vigesimal 30-39, 50-59, 70-79, 90-99)
(→‎1 to 10)
 
(14 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
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*To see a definition of cardinal numbers see [[Cardinal Number (definition)]]
 
*To see a definition of cardinal numbers see [[Cardinal Number (definition)]]
  
−
Traditionally Gaelic used a vigesimal counting system. This means that it is based in 20s (equivalent to the old numbers in English based on "Score"). Within this system there are several different variants for counting larger complex numbers. A more modern decimal (10 based system) has been introduced and is taught in schools, but isn't favored by many native speakers. These are the forms that end in ''-ead'' or ''-ad''.  
+
Traditionally Gaelic used a [[Vigesimal (definition)|vigesimal]] counting system. This means that it is based in 20s (equivalent to the old numbers in English based on "Score"). Within this system there are several different variants for counting larger complex numbers. A more modern [[Decimal (definition)|decimal]] (10 based system) has been introduced and is taught in schools, but isn't favored by many native speakers. These are the forms that end in ''-ead'' or ''-ad''.  
  
−
The numbers below are used to count, list years, or phone numbers. See section 2 below for directions for use when counting nouns.
+
The numbers below are used to count without saying a noun, list years, or phone numbers. See section 2 below for directions for use when counting nouns.
  
 
===0 to 19===
 
===0 to 19===
Line 10: Line 10:
 
*Numbers 0-10 are formed using simple numbers  
 
*Numbers 0-10 are formed using simple numbers  
 
*Numbers 11-19 are formed by taking the basic numbers 1-9 and attaching ''deug'' to the end of it.
 
*Numbers 11-19 are formed by taking the basic numbers 1-9 and attaching ''deug'' to the end of it.
−
*Formally, when counting or listing phone numbers, each number is prefixed with the particle a<sup>H</sup> (a h-aonan, a dha, a tri, a ceithir, a còig, a sia, a seachd, a h-ochd, a naoi, a deich, etc.) But this particle is rarely used anymore by speakers. Lamb (2003) reports that the particle is only really used on the Radio. The particle does, however appear as the last part of complex numbers such as ''ceithir fichead 's '''a tri''''' (83)
+
*Formally, when counting or listing phone numbers from 1 -40  each number is prefixed with the particle a<sup>H</sup> (a h-aonan, a dha, a tri, a ceithir, a còig, a sia, a seachd, a h-ochd, a naoi, a deich, etc.). But this particle is rarely used anymore by speakers. Lamb (2003) reports that the particle is only really used on the Radio. The particle does, however appear as the last part of complex numbers such as ''ceithir fichead 's '''a tri''''' (83)
  
 
:{| border=1 cellpadding="5", rules="all" style="text-align:center"
 
:{| border=1 cellpadding="5", rules="all" style="text-align:center"
Line 19: Line 19:
 
|-
 
|-
 
!0
 
!0
−
|neodi
+
|neoni
 
!10
 
!10
 
|deich
 
|deich
Line 588: Line 588:
 
===1 to 10===
 
===1 to 10===
 
*The numbers 1-10 precede any noun they count
 
*The numbers 1-10 precede any noun they count
−
*1 and 2 take the singular form of the noun, 3-10 take the plural
+
*1 takes the singular form of the noun, (aon bhalach, aon chraobh)
 +
*2 takes a special [[Dual (definition)|dual]] form.
 +
**For masculine nouns the dual is identical to the common case form singular.  eg. dà bhalach.
 +
**For feminine nouns, the dual is identical to the prepositional form of the singular (typically takes a [[slender]] final consonant.))  e.g. dà chraoibh
 +
*3-10 take the plural (trì balaich, trì craobhan)
  
 
:{| border=1 cellpadding="5", rules="all" style="text-align:center"
 
:{| border=1 cellpadding="5", rules="all" style="text-align:center"
Line 655: Line 659:
 
|-
 
|-
 
!12
 
!12
−
|dà<sup>L</sup> X deug
+
|dà<sup>L</sup> X dheug
−
|dà chat deug
+
|dà chat dheug
 
|-
 
|-
 
!13
 
!13
Line 681: Line 685:
 
!18
 
!18
 
|ochd X deug
 
|ochd X deug
−
|ocht cait deug
+
|ochd cait deug
 
|-
 
|-
 
!19
 
!19
Line 865: Line 869:
 
!32
 
!32
 
|
 
|
−
*dà chat deug air fhichead
+
*dà chat dheug air fhichead
−
*dà chat deug thar fhichead
+
*dà chat dheug thar fhichead
 
*fichead cat 's a dà dheug
 
*fichead cat 's a dà dheug
 
!52
 
!52
Line 977: Line 981:
  
 
===Decimal 20-99===
 
===Decimal 20-99===
−
The decimal system is similar to that of English, and is based on multiples of 10.
+
*The noun appears after the word for 20, 30, 40 etc and before any '' 's a h-aon''
−
 
 
−
*Each "10" has it's own name (fichead, trithead, ceathrad, etc)
 
−
*take any of the 10s follow it with '' 's'' (and), then one of the digits 1-9 preceded by the counting particle (e.g. fichead 's a h-aon, trithead 's a dha etc.)
 
  
 
<small>
 
<small>
Line 1,002: Line 1,003:
 
|-
 
|-
 
!20
 
!20
−
|fichead
+
|fichead cat
 
!30
 
!30
−
|trithead
+
|trithead cat
 
!40
 
!40
−
|ceathrad
+
|ceathrad cat
 
!50
 
!50
−
|caogad
+
|caogad cat
 
!60
 
!60
−
|seasgad
+
|seasgad cat
 
!70
 
!70
−
|seachdad
+
|seachdad cat
 
!80
 
!80
−
|ochdad
+
|ochdad cat
 
!90
 
!90
−
|naochad
+
|naochad cat
 
|-
 
|-
 
!21
 
!21
−
|fichead 's a h-aon
+
|fichead cat 's a h-aon
 
!31
 
!31
−
|trithead 's a h-aon
+
|trithead cat 's a h-aon
 
!41
 
!41
−
|ceathrad 's a h-aon
+
|ceathrad cat 's a h-aon
 
!51
 
!51
−
|caogad 's a h-aon
+
|caogad cat 's a h-aon
 
!61
 
!61
−
|seasgad 's a h-aon
+
|seasgad cat 's a h-aon
 
!71
 
!71
−
|seachdad 's a h-aon
+
|seachdad cat 's a h-aon
 
!81
 
!81
−
|ochdad 's a h-aon
+
|ochdad cat 's a h-aon
 
!91
 
!91
−
|naochad 's a h-aon
+
|naochad cat 's a h-aon
 
|-
 
|-
 
!22
 
!22
−
|fichead 's a dhà  
+
|fichead cat 's a dhà
 
!32
 
!32
−
|trithead 's a dha
+
|trithead cat 's a dhà
 
!42
 
!42
−
|ceathrad 's a dhà
+
|ceathrad cat 's a dhà
 
!52
 
!52
−
|caogad 's a dhà
+
|caogad 'cat 's a dhà
 
!62
 
!62
−
|seasgad 's a dhà
+
|seasgad 'cat 's a dhà
 
!72
 
!72
−
|seachdad 's a dhà
+
|seachdad cat 's a dhà
 
!82
 
!82
−
|ochdad 's a dhà
+
|ochdad 'cat 's a dhà
 
!92
 
!92
−
|naochad 's a dhà
+
|naochad cat 's a dhà
 
|-
 
|-
 
!23
 
!23
−
|fichead 's a trì
+
|fichead cat 's a trì
 
!33
 
!33
−
|trithead 's a trì
+
|trithead cat 's a trì
 
!43
 
!43
−
|ceathrad 's a trì
+
|ceathrad cat 's a trì
 
!53
 
!53
−
|caogad 's a trì
+
|caogad cat 's a trì
 
!63
 
!63
−
|seasgad 's a trì
+
|seasgad cat 's a trì
 
!73
 
!73
−
|seachdad 's a trì
+
|seachdad cat 's a trì
 
!83
 
!83
−
|ochdad 's a trì
+
|ochdad cat 's a trì
 
!93
 
!93
−
|naochad 's a trì
+
|naochad cat 's a trì
 
|-
 
|-
 
!24
 
!24
−
|fichead 's a ceithir  
+
|fichead cat 's a ceithir  
 
!34
 
!34
−
|trithead 's a ceithir
+
|trithead cat 's a ceithir  
 
!44
 
!44
−
|ceathrad 's a ceithir
+
|ceathrad cat 's a ceithir  
 
!54
 
!54
−
|caogad 's a ceithir
+
|caogad cat 's a ceithir  
 
!64
 
!64
−
|seasgad 's a ceithir
+
|seasgad cat 's a ceithir  
 
!74  
 
!74  
−
|seachdad 's a ceithir
+
|seachdad cat 's a ceithir  
 
!84
 
!84
−
|ochdad 's a ceithir
+
|ochdad cat 's a ceithir  
 
!94
 
!94
−
|naochad 's a ceithir
+
|naochad cat 's a ceithir  
 
|-
 
|-
 
!25
 
!25
−
|fichead 's a còig  
+
|fichead cat 's a còig  
 
!35
 
!35
−
|trithead 's a còig
+
|trithead cat 's a còig
 
!45
 
!45
−
|ceathrad 's a còig
+
|ceathrad cat 's a còig
 
!55
 
!55
−
|caogad 's a còig
+
|caogad cat 's a còig
 
!65
 
!65
−
|seasgad 's a còig
+
|seasgad cat 's a còig
 
!75
 
!75
−
|seachdad 's a còig
+
|seachdad cat 's a còig
 
!85
 
!85
−
|ochdad 's a còig
+
|ochdadcat 's a còig
 
!95
 
!95
−
|naochad 's a còig
+
|naochad cat 's a còig
 
|-
 
|-
 
!26
 
!26
−
|fichead 's a sia
+
|fichead cat 's a sia
 
!36
 
!36
−
|trithead 's a sia
+
|trithead cat 's a sia
 
!46
 
!46
−
|ceathrad 's a sia
+
|ceathrad cat 's a sia
 
!56
 
!56
−
|caogad 's a sia
+
|caogad cat 's a sia
 
!66
 
!66
−
|seasgad 's a sia
+
|seasgad cat 's a sia
 
!76
 
!76
−
|seachdad 's a sia
+
|seachdad cat 's a sia
 
!86
 
!86
−
|ochdad 's a sia
+
|ochdad cat 's a sia
 
!96
 
!96
−
|naochad 's a sia
+
|naochad cat 's a sia
 
|-
 
|-
 
!27
 
!27
−
|fichead 's a seachd
+
|fichead cat 's a seachd
 
!37
 
!37
−
|trithead 's a seachd
+
|trithead cat 's a seachd
 
!47
 
!47
−
|ceathrad 's a sia
+
|ceathrad cat 's a seachd
 
!57
 
!57
−
|caogad 's a seachd
+
|caogad cat 's a seachd
 
!67
 
!67
−
|seasgad 's a sia
+
|seasgad cat 's a seachd
 
!77
 
!77
−
|seachdad 's a seachd
+
|seachdad cat 's a seachd
 
!87
 
!87
−
|ochdad 's a sia
+
|ochdad cat 's a seachd
 
!97
 
!97
−
|naochad 's a seachd
+
|naochad cat 's a seachd
 
|-
 
|-
 
!28
 
!28
−
|fichead 's a h-ochd
+
|fichead cat 's a h-ochd
 
!38
 
!38
−
|trithead 's a h-ochd
+
|trithead cat 's a h-ochd
 
!48
 
!48
−
|ceathrad 's a h-ochd
+
|ceathrad cat 's a h-ochd
 
!58
 
!58
−
|caogad 's a h-ochd
+
|caogad cat 's a h-ochd
 
!68
 
!68
−
|seasgad 's a h-ochd
+
|seasgad cat 's a h-ochd
 
!78
 
!78
−
|seachdad 's a h-ochd
+
|seachdad cat 's a h-ochd
−
!88
+
|88
−
|ochdad  's a h-ochd
+
|ochdad  cat 's a h-ochd
 
!98
 
!98
−
|naochad 's a h-ochd
+
|naochad cat 's a h-ochd
 
|-
 
|-
 
!29
 
!29
−
|fichead 's a naoi
+
|fichead cat 's a naoi
 
!39
 
!39
−
|trithead 's a naoi
+
|trithead cat 's a naoi
 
!49
 
!49
−
|ceathrad  's a naoi
+
|ceathrad cat 's a naoi
 
!59
 
!59
−
|caogad 's a naoi
+
|caogad cat 's a naoi
 
!69
 
!69
−
|seasgad 's a naoi
+
|seasgad cat 's a naoi
 
!79  
 
!79  
−
|seachdad 's a naoi
+
|seachdad cat 's a naoi
 
!89
 
!89
−
|ochdad 's a naoi
+
|ochdad cat 's a naoi
 
!99
 
!99
−
|naochad 's a naoi
+
|naochad cat 's a naoi
 
|}
 
|}
 
</small>
 
</small>
Line 1,200: Line 1,201:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1
 
|1
−
|aonan/aonar/aon fear (m)
+
|aonan/aonar/aon fhear/aon tè (m)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2
 
|2
Line 1,231: Line 1,232:
  
 
Lamb: numbers over 1 take genitive case. dithis fhear
 
Lamb: numbers over 1 take genitive case. dithis fhear
 +
 
==Ordinal Numbers==
 
==Ordinal Numbers==
  
−
[[Ordinal numbers (definition)|Ordinal numbers]] describe a position in a series of objects. In English these are numbers like first second, third
+
[[Ordinal Number (definition)|Ordinal numbers]] describe a position in a series of objects. In English these are numbers like first second, third.
 +
 
 +
The abbreviation for ordinals is <sup>mh</sup>, so  An darna is 2<sup>mh</sup>
  
 
:{| border=1 cellpadding="5", rules="all" style="text-align:center"
 
:{| border=1 cellpadding="5", rules="all" style="text-align:center"
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*a dara
 
*a dara
 
!twelfth
 
!twelfth
−
|
+
|an dara deug
 
|-
 
|-
 
!third
 
!third
Line 1,259: Line 1,263:
 
*an treasamh  
 
*an treasamh  
 
!thirteenth
 
!thirteenth
−
|
+
|an treas deug
 
|-
 
|-
 
!fourth
 
!fourth
 
|an ceathramh
 
|an ceathramh
 
!fourteenth
 
!fourteenth
−
|
+
|an ceathramh deug
 
|-
 
|-
 
!fifth
 
!fifth
Line 1,290: Line 1,294:
 
!nineteenth
 
!nineteenth
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
!tenth
 +
|an deicheamh
 +
!twentieth
 +
|an ficheadamh
 
|}
 
|}
 
<sup>1</sup>. For some speakers these nouns are feminine and show up as ''an t-seachdamh'' and ''an t-siathamh'', especially before other nouns
 
<sup>1</sup>. For some speakers these nouns are feminine and show up as ''an t-seachdamh'' and ''an t-siathamh'', especially before other nouns
Line 1,296: Line 1,305:
 
*an deicheamh 'tenth'
 
*an deicheamh 'tenth'
 
*am ficheadamh 'twentieth'
 
*am ficheadamh 'twentieth'
−
 
  
 
==Other Numbers==
 
==Other Numbers==
Line 1,306: Line 1,314:
 
expresses a fraction (half, quarter, third)
 
expresses a fraction (half, quarter, third)
 
*leth 'half'
 
*leth 'half'
−
 
+
*cairteal 'quarter'
  
 
===Integrative-Cumulative Numbers===
 
===Integrative-Cumulative Numbers===
Line 1,313: Line 1,321:
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
−
*[http://ww2.highland.gov.uk/highland_council_gaelic_toolkit/gaelic_toolkit/dealing_with_the_public/appendix_accessible_version|Highland Council Website on numbers]
+
*[http://ww2.highland.gov.uk/highland_council_gaelic_toolkit/gaelic_toolkit/dealing_with_the_public/appendix_accessible_version Highland Council Website on numbers]
 +
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number
 +
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigesimal
 +
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decimal
 +
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_Number
 +
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinal_number_(linguistics)
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 07:29, 29 July 2012

Cardinal Numbers:when used to list phone numbers or count objects without naming them

Traditionally Gaelic used a vigesimal counting system. This means that it is based in 20s (equivalent to the old numbers in English based on "Score"). Within this system there are several different variants for counting larger complex numbers. A more modern decimal (10 based system) has been introduced and is taught in schools, but isn't favored by many native speakers. These are the forms that end in -ead or -ad.

The numbers below are used to count without saying a noun, list years, or phone numbers. See section 2 below for directions for use when counting nouns.

0 to 19

  • 0-19 are identical in the vigesimal and decimal systems.
  • Numbers 0-10 are formed using simple numbers
  • Numbers 11-19 are formed by taking the basic numbers 1-9 and attaching deug to the end of it.
  • Formally, when counting or listing phone numbers from 1 -40 each number is prefixed with the particle aH (a h-aonan, a dha, a tri, a ceithir, a còig, a sia, a seachd, a h-ochd, a naoi, a deich, etc.). But this particle is rarely used anymore by speakers. Lamb (2003) reports that the particle is only really used on the Radio. The particle does, however appear as the last part of complex numbers such as ceithir fichead 's a tri (83)
Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
0 neoni 10 deich
1 aonan/aona 11 aon deug
2 dhà 12 dà dheug
3 tri 13 tri deug
4 ceithir 14 ceithir deug
5 còig 15 còig deug
6 sia 16 sia deug
7 seachd 17 seachd deug
8 ochd 18 ochd deug
9 naoi 19 naoi deug

Vigesimal 20-29, 40-49, 60-69, 80-89

The vigesimal system is based on the number 20 (ie. with most numbers using some multiple of 20).

  • The number twenty is fichead'
  • There are three different ways to form numbers from 21-29
    • take the simple number 1-9 and add "air fhichead ("on twenty") on the end. (e.g. dà air fhichead)
    • take the simple number 1-9 and add thar fhichead ("over twenty") on the end. (e.g. trì thar fhichead)
    • take the number twenty and follow it with 's (and), then one of the digits 1-9 preceded by the counting particle (e.g. fichead 's a h-aon)
  • Multiples of twenty (40, 60, 70, 80, and to a rarer degree 120, 140, 160, 180) are formed by putting one of the digits 2-4 or 5-9 in front of fichead', (e.g. dà fhichead "two twenties", trì fichead "three twenties", notice that dà lenites fhichead.
  • numbers 41-49, 69-69, 80-89 are formed by taking 40, 60, 80, and appending 's (and) and then one of the digits 1-9 preceded by the counting particle (e.g. dà fhichead 's a h-aon)
Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
20 Fichead 40 dà fhichead 60 trì fichead 80 ceithir fichead
21
  • fichead 's a h-aon
  • aon air fhichead
  • aon thar fhichead
 41 dà fhichead 's a h-aon 61 trì fichead 's a h-aon 81 ceithir fichead 's a h-aon
22
  • fichead 's a dhà
  • dà air fhichead
  • dà thar fhichead
 42 dà fhichead 's a dhà 62 trì fichead 's a dhà 82 ceithir fichead 's a dhà
23
  • fichead 's a trì
  • trì air fhichead
  • trì thar fhichead
 43 dà fhichead 's a trì 63 trì fichead 's a trì 83 ceithir fichead 's a trì
24
  • fichead 's a ceithir
  • ceithir air fhichead
  • ceithir thar fhichead
 44 dà fhichead 's a ceithir 64 tri fichead 's a ceithir 84 ceithir fichead 's a ceithir
25
  • fichead 's a còig
  • còig air fhichead
  • còig thar fhichead
 45 dà fhichead 's a còig 65 trì fichead 's a còig 85 ceithir fichead 's a còig
26
  • fichead 's a sia
  • sia air fhichead
  • sai thar fhichead
 46 dà fhichead 's a sia 66 trì fichead 's a sia 86 ceithir fichead 's a sia
27
  • fichead 's a seachd
  • seachd air fhichead
  • seachd thar fhichead
 47 dà fhichead 's a seachd 67 trì fichead 's a seachd 87 ceithir fichead 's a seachd
28
  • fichead 's a h-ochd
  • ochd air fhichead
  • ochd thar fhichead
 48 dà fhichead 's a h-ochd 68 trì fichead 's a h-ochd 88 ceithir fichead 's a h-ochd
29
  • fichead 's a naoi
  • naoi air fhichead
  • naoi thar fhichead
 49 dà fhichead 's a naoi 69 trì fichead 's a naoi 89 ceithir fichead 's a naoi


Vigesimal 30-39, 50-59, 70-79, 90-99

  • The numbers 30, 50, 70 and 90 are formed by taking the numbers 20, 40, 60, and 80 and attaching 's a deich
  • The numbers between these are formed by taking the numbers 20, 40, 60, 80 and attaching the appropriate "teen" form (deug form). So 73 is "three twenties and thirteen" trì fichead 's a trì deug,
  • leth-cheud (1/2 hundred) can also be used for 50.
Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
30
  • deich air fhichead
  • fichead 's a deich
 50
  • dà fhichead 's a deich
  • leth-cheud
 70 trì fichead 's a deich 90 ceithir fichead 's a deich
31
  • aon deug air fhichead
  • aon deug thar fhichead
  • fichead 's a h-aon deug
 51
  • dà fhichead 's a h-aon deug
  • leth-cheud 's a h-aon
 71 trì fichead 's a h-aon deug 91 ceithir fichead 's a h-aon deug
32
  • dà dheug air fhichead
  • dà dheug thar fhichead
  • fichead 's a dà dheug
 52
  • dà fhichead 's a dà dheug
  • leth-cheud 's a dhà
 72 trì fichead 's a dà dheug 92 ceithir fichead 's a dà dheug
33
  • trì deug air fhichead
  • trì deug thar fhichead
  • fichead 's a trì deug
 53
  • dà fhichead 's a trì deug
  • leth-cheud 's a trì
 73 trì fichead 's a trì deug 93 ceithir fichead 's a trì deug
34
  • ceithir deug air fhichead
  • ceithir deug thar fhichead
  • fichead 's a ceithir deug
 54
  • dà fhichead 's a ceithir deug
  • leth-cheud 's a ceithir
 74 trì fichead 's a ceithir deug 94 ceithir fichead 's a ceithir deug
35
  • còig deug air fhichead
  • còig deug thar fhichead
  • fichead 's a còig deug
 55
  • dà fhichead 's a còig deug
  • leth-cheud 's a còig
 75 trì fichead 's a còig deug 95 ceithir fichead 's a còig deug
36
  • sia deug air fhichead
  • sia deug thar fhichead
  • fichead 's a sia deug
 56
  • dà fhichead 's a sia deug
  • leth-cheud 's a sia
 76 trì fichead 's a sia deug 96 ceithir fichead 's a sia deug
37
  • seachd deug air fhichead
  • seachd deug thar fhichead
  • fichead 's a seachd deug
 57
  • dà fhichead 's a seachd deug
  • leth-cheud 's a seachd
 77 trì fichead 's a seachd deug 97 ceithir fichead 's a seachd deug
38
  • ochd deug air fhichead
  • ochd deug thar fhichead
  • fhichead 's a h-ochd deug
 58
  • dà fhichead 's a h-ochd deug
  • leth-cheud 's a h-ochd
 78 trì fichead 's a h-ochd deug 98 ceithir fichead 's a h-ochd deug
39
  • naoi deug air fhichead
  • naoi deug thar fhichead
  • fhichead 's a naoi deug
 59
  • dà fhichead 's a naoi deug
  • leth-cheud 's a naoi
79 tri fichead 's a naoi deug 99 ceithir fichead 's a naoi deug

Decimal 20-99

The decimal system is similar to that of English, and is based on multiples of 10.

  • Each "10" has it's own name (fichead, trithead, ceathrad, etc)
  • take any of the 10s follow it with 's (and), then one of the digits 1-9 preceded by the counting particle (e.g. fichead 's a h-aon, trithead 's a dha etc.)

Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
20 fichead 30 trithead 40 ceathrad 50 caogad 60 seasgad 70 seachdad 80 ochdad 90 naochad
21 fichead 's a h-aon 31 trithead 's a h-aon 41 ceathrad 's a h-aon 51 caogad 's a h-aon 61 seasgad 's a h-aon 71 seachdad 's a h-aon 81 ochdad 's a h-aon 91 naochad 's a h-aon
22 fichead 's a dhà 32 trithead 's a dha 42 ceathrad 's a dhà 52 caogad 's a dhà 62 seasgad 's a dhà 72 seachdad 's a dhà 82 ochdad 's a dhà 92 naochad 's a dhà
23 fichead 's a trì 33 trithead 's a trì 43 ceathrad 's a trì 53 caogad 's a trì 63 seasgad 's a trì 73 seachdad 's a trì 83 ochdad 's a trì 93 naochad 's a trì
24 fichead 's a ceithir 34 trithead 's a ceithir 44 ceathrad 's a ceithir 54 caogad 's a ceithir 64 seasgad 's a ceithir 74 seachdad 's a ceithir 84 ochdad 's a ceithir 94 naochad 's a ceithir
25 fichead 's a còig 35 trithead 's a còig 45 ceathrad 's a còig 55 caogad 's a còig 65 seasgad 's a còig 75 seachdad 's a còig 85 ochdad 's a còig 95 naochad 's a còig
26 fichead 's a sia 36 trithead 's a sia 46 ceathrad 's a sia 56 caogad 's a sia 66 seasgad 's a sia 76 seachdad 's a sia 86 ochdad 's a sia 96 naochad 's a sia
27 fichead 's a seachd 37 trithead 's a seachd 47 ceathrad 's a sia 57 caogad 's a seachd 67 seasgad 's a sia 77 seachdad 's a seachd 87 ochdad 's a sia 97 naochad 's a seachd
28 fichead 's a h-ochd 38 trithead 's a h-ochd 48 ceathrad 's a h-ochd 58 caogad 's a h-ochd 68 seasgad 's a h-ochd 78 seachdad 's a h-ochd 88 ochdad 's a h-ochd 98 naochad 's a h-ochd
29 fichead 's a naoi 39 trithead 's a naoi 49 ceathrad 's a naoi 59 caogad 's a naoi 69 seasgad 's a naoi 79 seachdad 's a naoi 89 ochdad 's a naoi 99 naochad 's a naoi

100+

  • 100 ceud
  • 120 sia fichead or ceud 's a fichead
  • 140 seachd fichead or ceud 's a ceathrad
  • 150 XXXXX
  • 160 ochd fichead or XXX
  • 180 naoi fichead or XXX
  • 1000 mile
  • 1999 naoi ceud deug ceithir fichead 's a naoi deug
  • 2000 dà mhile
  • 2002 dà mhile 's a dhà
  • 6693 sia mile sia ceud ceithir fichead 's a tri deug
  • 100,000 ceud mile
  • 1,000,000 millean


Important note about large numbers

Lamb (2003) based on research by Macaulay (1982) reports that for many speakers, large numbers, especially those that fall between the "scores" (120, 140 etc), are avoided and they will code switch to English.


Cardinal Numbers:when used to count objects

1 to 10

  • The numbers 1-10 precede any noun they count
  • 1 takes the singular form of the noun, (aon bhalach, aon chraobh)
  • 2 takes a special dual form.
    • For masculine nouns the dual is identical to the common case form singular. eg. dà bhalach.
    • For feminine nouns, the dual is identical to the prepositional form of the singular (typically takes a slender final consonant.)) e.g. dà chraoibh
  • 3-10 take the plural (trì balaich, trì craobhan)
English Gaelic Takes Example
1 aonL singular aon chat
2 dhàL/dàL dà chat
3 tri1 plural tri cait
4 ceithir ceithir cait
5 còig còig cait
6 sia sia cait
7 seachd seachd cait
8 ochd ocht cait
9 naoi naoi cait
10 deich deich cait

1In some dialects 3-5 also lenite the following noun.

11 to 19

  • when counting objects in the teens, the word deug follows the noun that's being counted. Literally, eleven is realized as "one cat teen". 11 and 12 take singulars and lenite the noun, all the others are plural.
English Gaelic Takes Example
11 aonL X deug singular aon chat deug
12 dàL X dheug dà chat dheug
13 tri X deug plural tri cait deug
14 ceithir X deug ceithir cait deug
15 còig X deug còig cait deug
16 sia X deug sia cait deug
17 seachd X deug seachd cait deug
18 ochd X deug ochd cait deug
19 naoi X deug naoi cait deug

Vigesimal 20-29, 40-49, 60-69, 80-89

  • The vigesimal numbers are nearly identical to the "counting numbers" discussed above in section 1, except for the placement of the counted noun. Fichead and its multiples takes a singular, as do 21 and 22
  • The name of the object counted comes after the major initial unit (aon chat air fichead), or after a 20 and it's multiplier (dà fichead cat 's a dhà). The counted noun always comes before "air/thar fichead" or any 's a NUMBER ending.
Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
20 Fichead cat 40 dà fhichead cat 60 trì fichead cat 80 ceithir fichead cat
21
  • fichead cat 's a h-aon
  • aon chat air fhichead
  • aon chat thar fhichead
 41 dà fhichead cat 's a h-aon 61 trì fichead cat 's a h-aon 81 ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aon
22
  • fichead cat 's a dhà
  • dà chat air fhichead
  • dà chat thar fhichead
 42 dà fhichead cat 's a dhà 62 trì fichead cat 's a dhà 82 ceithir fichead cat 's a dhà
23
  • fichead cat 's a trì
  • trì cait air fhichead
  • trì cait thar fhichead
 43 dà fhichead cat 's a trì 63 trì fichead cat 's a trì 83 ceithir fichead cat 's a trì
24
  • fichead cat 's a ceithir
  • ceithir cait air fhichead
  • ceithir cait thar fhichead
 44 dà fhichead cat 's a ceithir 64 tri fichead cat 's a ceithir 84 ceithir fichead cat's a ceithir
25
  • fichead cat 's a còig
  • còig cait air fhichead
  • còig coit thar fhichead
 45 dà fhichead cat 's a còig 65 trì fichead cat 's a còig 85 ceithir fichead cat 's a còig
26
  • fichead cat 's a sia
  • sia cait air fhichead
  • sai cait thar fhichead
 46 dà fhichead cat 's a sia 66 trì fichead cat 's a sia 86 ceithir fichead cat 's a sia
27
  • fichead cat 's a seachd
  • seachd cait air fhichead
  • seachd cait thar fhichead
 47 dà fhichead cat 's a seachd 67 trì fichead cat 's a seachd 87 ceithir fichead cat 's a seachd
28
  • fichead cat 's a h-ochd
  • ochd cait air fhichead
  • ochd cait thar fhichead
 48 dà fhichead cat 's a h-ochd 68 trì fichead cat 's a h-ochd 88 ceithir fichead cat 's a h-ochd
29
  • fichead cat 's a naoi
  • naoi cait air fhichead
  • naoi cait thar fhichead
 49 dà fhichead cat 's a naoi 69 trì fichead cat 's a naoi 89 ceithir fichead cat 's a naoi


Vigesimal 30-39, 50-59, 70-79, 90-99

  • With 31-39, the noun comes between the single digit and the deug (in the aon chat deug air/thar fichead constructions). It will be singular or plural depending on what number precedes it (1-2 give singular and lenite, 3-9 are plural).
  • With all other numbers in this range, the noun comes after the words fichead or ceud' and will be singular.
Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
30
  • deich cait air fhichead
  • fichead cat 's a deich
 50
  • dà fhichead cat 's a deich
  • leth-cheud cat
 70 trì fichead cat 's a deich 90 ceithir fichead cait 's a deich
31
  • aon chat deug air fhichead
  • aon chat deug thar fhichead
  • fichead cait 's a h-aon deug
 51
  • dà fhichead cat 's a h-aon deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a h-aon
 71 trì fichead cat 's a h-aon deug 91 ceithir fichead cat 's a h-aon deug
32
  • dà chat dheug air fhichead
  • dà chat dheug thar fhichead
  • fichead cat 's a dà dheug
 52
  • dà fhichead cat 's a dà dheug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a dhà
 72 trì fichead cat 's a dà dheug 92 ceithir fichead cat 's a dà dheug
33
  • trì cait deug air fhichead
  • trì cait deug thar fhichead
  • fichead cat 's a trì deug
 53
  • dà fhichead cat 's a trì deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a trì
 73 trì fichead cat 's a trì deug 93 ceithir fichead cat 's a trì deug
34
  • ceithir cait deug air fhichead
  • ceithir cait deug thar fhichead
  • fichead cat 's a ceithir deug
 54
  • dà fhichead cat 's a ceithir deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a ceithir
 74 trì fichead cat 's a ceithir deug 94 ceithir fichead cat 's a ceithir deug
35
  • còig cait deug air fhichead
  • còig cait deug thar fhichead
  • fichead cat 's a còig deug
 55
  • dà fhichead cat 's a còig deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a còig
 75 *trì fichead cat 's a còig deug 95 ceithir fichead cat 's a còig deug
36
  • sia cait deug air fhichead
  • sia cait deug thar fhichead
  • fichead cat 's a sia deug
 56
  • dà fhichead cat 's a sia deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a sia
 76 trì fichead cat 's a sia deug 96 ceithir fichead cat 's a sia deug
37
  • seachd cait deug air fhichead
  • seachd cait deug thar fhichead
  • fichead cat 's a seachd deug
 57
  • dà fhichead cat 's a seachd deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a seachd
 77 trì fichead cat 's a seachd deug 97 ceithir fichead cat 's a seachd deug
38
  • ochd cait deug air fhichead
  • ochd cait deug thar fhichead
  • fhichead cat 's a h-ochd deug
 58
  • dà fhichead cat 's a h-ochd deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a h-ochd
 78 trì fichead cat 's a h-ochd deug 98 ceithir fichead cat 's a h-ochd deug
39
  • naoi cait deug air fhichead
  • naoi cait deug thar fhichead
  • fhichead cat 's a naoi deug
 59
  • dà fhichead cat 's a naoi deug
  • leth-cheud cat 's a naoi
79 tri fichead cat 's a naoi deug 99 ceithir fichead cat 's a naoi deug

Decimal 20-99

  • The noun appears after the word for 20, 30, 40 etc and before any 's a h-aon

Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
20 fichead cat 30 trithead cat 40 ceathrad cat 50 caogad cat 60 seasgad cat 70 seachdad cat 80 ochdad cat 90 naochad cat
21 fichead cat 's a h-aon 31 trithead cat 's a h-aon 41 ceathrad cat 's a h-aon 51 caogad cat 's a h-aon 61 seasgad cat 's a h-aon 71 seachdad cat 's a h-aon 81 ochdad cat 's a h-aon 91 naochad cat 's a h-aon
22 fichead cat 's a dhà 32 trithead cat 's a dhà 42 ceathrad cat 's a dhà 52 caogad 'cat 's a dhà 62 seasgad 'cat 's a dhà 72 seachdad cat 's a dhà 82 ochdad 'cat 's a dhà 92 naochad cat 's a dhà
23 fichead cat 's a trì 33 trithead cat 's a trì 43 ceathrad cat 's a trì 53 caogad cat 's a trì 63 seasgad cat 's a trì 73 seachdad cat 's a trì 83 ochdad cat 's a trì 93 naochad cat 's a trì
24 fichead cat 's a ceithir 34 trithead cat 's a ceithir 44 ceathrad cat 's a ceithir 54 caogad cat 's a ceithir 64 seasgad cat 's a ceithir 74 seachdad cat 's a ceithir 84 ochdad cat 's a ceithir 94 naochad cat 's a ceithir
25 fichead cat 's a còig 35 trithead cat 's a còig 45 ceathrad cat 's a còig 55 caogad cat 's a còig 65 seasgad cat 's a còig 75 seachdad cat 's a còig 85 ochdadcat 's a còig 95 naochad cat 's a còig
26 fichead cat 's a sia 36 trithead cat 's a sia 46 ceathrad cat 's a sia 56 caogad cat 's a sia 66 seasgad cat 's a sia 76 seachdad cat 's a sia 86 ochdad cat 's a sia 96 naochad cat 's a sia
27 fichead cat 's a seachd 37 trithead cat 's a seachd 47 ceathrad cat 's a seachd 57 caogad cat 's a seachd 67 seasgad cat 's a seachd 77 seachdad cat 's a seachd 87 ochdad cat 's a seachd 97 naochad cat 's a seachd
28 fichead cat 's a h-ochd 38 trithead cat 's a h-ochd 48 ceathrad cat 's a h-ochd 58 caogad cat 's a h-ochd 68 seasgad cat 's a h-ochd 78 seachdad cat 's a h-ochd 88 ochdad cat 's a h-ochd 98 naochad cat 's a h-ochd
29 fichead cat 's a naoi 39 trithead cat 's a naoi 49 ceathrad cat 's a naoi 59 caogad cat 's a naoi 69 seasgad cat 's a naoi 79 seachdad cat 's a naoi 89 ochdad cat 's a naoi 99 naochad cat 's a naoi

100+

  • 100 ceud
  • 120 sia fichead or ceud 's a fichead
  • 140 seachd fichead or ceud 's a ceathrad
  • 150 XXXXX
  • 160 ochd fichead or XXX
  • 180 naoi fichead or XXX
  • 1000 mile
  • 1999 naoi ceud deug ceithir fichead 's a naoi deug
  • 2000 dà mhile
  • 2002 dà mhile 's a dhà
  • 6693 sia mile sia ceud ceithir fichead 's a tri deug
  • 100,000 ceud mile
  • 1,000,000 millean

Distributive Numbers

e.g. pair, dozen

Distributive Numbers for non-humans

Distributive Numbers for humans

Number Gaelic
1 aonan/aonar/aon fhear/aon tè (m)
2 dithis/dithist (f)
3 triùir (f)
4 ceathrar (m)
5 còignear (m)
6 sianar (m)
7 seachdnar/seachdar (m)
8 ochdnar/ochdar (m)
9 naoinear (m)
10 deichnear/deineir (m)

Lamb: numbers over 1 take genitive case. dithis fhear

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers describe a position in a series of objects. In English these are numbers like first second, third.

The abbreviation for ordinals is mh, so An darna is 2mh

Number Gaelic Number Gaelic
first a' chiad eleventh
second
  • an darna
  • a dara
 twelfth an dara deug
third
  • an treas
  • an trìtheamh
  • an treasamh
thirteenth an treas deug
fourth an ceathramh fourteenth an ceathramh deug
fifth an còigeamh fifteenth
sixth an siathamh1 sixteenth
seventh an seachdamh1 seventeenth
eighth an t-ochdamh eighteenth
ninth an naoidheamh nineteenth
tenth an deicheamh twentieth an ficheadamh

1. For some speakers these nouns are feminine and show up as an t-seachdamh and an t-siathamh, especially before other nouns


  • an deicheamh 'tenth'
  • am ficheadamh 'twentieth'

Other Numbers

Multiplicative Numbers

represents repetition (once, twice, thrice)


Partitive Numbers

expresses a fraction (half, quarter, third)

  • leth 'half'
  • cairteal 'quarter'

Integrative-Cumulative Numbers

refer to something made up for several parts single, double, triple


External Links

References

  • Fisher, Muriel (2004) Scottish Gaelic: Level 1. Seattle: Each-Mara Publications
  • Lamb, William (2003) Scottish Gaelic. Munich: Lincom Europa.
  • Macaulay, Donald (1982) Aspects of register range and choice in Scottish Gaelic. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 35:25-48.
  • Robertson, Boyd and Ian MacDonald (2004) Gaelic Dictionary. Teach Yourself books.

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