Numbers

1. Tee, pedi, tharo

   One, two, three

   Usage

   The counting forms

   Grammar Note

   With nouns a numeral takes a noun-class concord (motho o tee, batho ba babedi). Not Sesotho "nngwe", "tshelela" and so on

2. Nne, hlano, tshela

   Four, five, six

   Usage

   The counting forms

   Grammar Note

   Six is "tshela", not Sesotho "tshelela" or Setswana "thataro"

3. Šupa, seswai, senyane

   Seven, eight, nine

   Usage

   The counting forms

   Grammar Note

   Keep the š (not "supa"). Eight and nine are not Sesotho "robedi", "robong"

4. Lesome

   Ten

   Usage

   The number ten

   Grammar Note

   Eleven is "lesometee", twelve "lesomepedi", written as one word

5. Lekgolo, sekete

   One hundred, one thousand

   Usage

   One hundred and one thousand

   Grammar Note

   The plural of "sekete" is "dikete"

6. Masomepedi

   Twenty

   Usage

   The number twenty

   Grammar Note

   Tens are written as one word "masome" + number (masometharo = 30, masomehlano = 50)

7. Masomehlano

   Fifty

   Usage

   The number fifty

   Grammar Note

   "masome" (tens) + "hlano" (five)

8. Mphe R20, hle

   Please give me twenty (Rand worth)

   Usage

   Used to ask for an amount at a stall or when asking for change

   Grammar Note

   Prices are normally written in digits (ranta = rand, plural diranta). "mphe" is the imperative of fa (give) with "me" (composed from dictionary-verified words)

9. Dilo tše pedi

   Two things / two items

   Usage

   Used to count two things

   Grammar Note

   "dilo" is a plural class, so "tše pedi" agrees (attested)

10. Ke na le mengwaga e 27

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    Used to give your age, answering "O na le mengwaga e mekae?"

    Grammar Note

    Age is "mengwaga e" + number. Digits are used here to avoid unverified agreement forms of long numerals (composed from dictionary-verified words)

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