From Ноль to Миллиард: Your Guide to Counting in Russian

russian numbers Sep 08, 2024

Learning to count in a foreign language is often one of the first steps in mastering basic communication skills. For those delving into the Russian language, understanding the number system is crucial for everyday interactions, from shopping to telling time. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the intricacies of counting in Russian, providing you with the knowledge to confidently use numbers in various situations.

The Basics: Numbers 0-10 in Russian

Let's start with the foundation of the Russian number system:

0 - ноль (nol')
1 - один (odin)
2 - два (dva)
3 - три (tri)
4 - четыре (chetyre)
5 - пять (pyat')
6 - шесть (shest')
7 - семь (sem')
8 - восемь (vosem')
9 - девять (devyat')
10 - десять (desyat')

Memorizing these basic numbers is essential as they form the building blocks for all other numbers in Russian.

Counting from 11 to 19

Numbers 11 through 19 follow a unique pattern in Russian:

11 - одиннадцать (odinnadtsat')
12 - двенадцать (dvenadtsat')
13 - тринадцать (trinadtsat')
14 - четырнадцать (chetyrnadtsat')
15 - пятнадцать (pyatnadtsat')
16 - шестнадцать (shestnadtsat')
17 - семнадцать (semnadtsat')
18 - восемнадцать (vosemnadtsat')
19 - девятнадцать (devyatnadtsat')

Notice the suffix "-надцать" (-nadtsat') which is similar to the English "-teen".

Tens in Russian

The tens in Russian are as follows:

20 - двадцать (dvadtsat')
30 - тридцать (tridtsat')
40 - сорок (sorok)
50 - пятьдесят (pyat'desyat)
60 - шестьдесят (shest'desyat)
70 - семьдесят (sem'desyat)
80 - восемьдесят (vosem'desyat)
90 - девяносто (devyanosto)
100 - сто (sto)

To form numbers between the tens, simply add the single digit after the ten. For example, 21 is "двадцать один" (dvadtsat' odin), 35 is "тридцать пять" (tridtsat' pyat'), and so on.

Hundreds in Russian

The hundreds are formed as follows:

100 - сто (sto)
200 - двести (dvesti)
300 - триста (trista)
400 - четыреста (chetyresta)
500 - пятьсот (pyat'sot)
600 - шестьсот (shest'sot)
700 - семьсот (sem'sot)
800 - восемьсот (vosem'sot)
900 - девятьсот (devyat'sot)

To form numbers between the hundreds, add the tens and ones after the hundred. For example, 342 is "триста сорок два" (trista sorok dva).

Larger Numbers

For larger numbers, it's important to know:

1,000 - тысяча (tysyacha)
1,000,000 - миллион (million)
1,000,000,000 - миллиард (milliard)

Gender Agreement in Russian Numbers

In Russian, the numbers один (odin), два (dva), оба (oba), and все (vse) change their endings depending on the gender of the noun they're modifying:

Masculine: один, два
Feminine: одна, две
Neuter: одно, два

For example:

один стол (odin stol) - one table (masculine)
одна книга (odna kniga) - one book (feminine)
одно яблоко (odno yabloko) - one apple (neuter)

Ordinal Numbers in Russian

Ordinal numbers in Russian are adjectives and agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. Here are the first ten ordinal numbers:

1st - первый (pervyy)
2nd - второй (vtoroy)
3rd - третий (tretiy)
4th - четвёртый (chetvyortyy)
5th - пятый (pyatyy)
6th - шестой (shestoy)
7th - седьмой (sed'moy)
8th - восьмой (vos'moy)
9th - девятый (devyatyy)
10th - десятый (desyatyy)

Practice Makes Perfect

Learning to count in Russian may seem daunting at first, but with regular practice, it becomes second nature. One effective way to practice is by integrating number recognition into your daily routine. For instance, you could try to read house numbers, prices, or time in Russian whenever you encounter them.

To make this process easier, consider using Mate Translate, a powerful translation tool that seamlessly integrates with your web browser, computer, or phone. With Mate, you can instantly translate Russian numbers or any text you come across, making your language learning journey much smoother. Simply select the text with your mouse, and Mate will provide an instant translation right there on the spot, whether you're browsing websites, reading PDFs, or using various apps.

Conclusion

Mastering the Russian number system is a significant step in your language learning journey. While it may take some time to become fluent, the ability to count in Russian will greatly enhance your communication skills and cultural understanding. Remember, consistent practice and exposure to the language are key to success.

As you continue to explore the Russian language, don't forget to take advantage of tools like Mate Translate to support your learning process. With its seamless integration across various platforms, Mate can help you quickly understand and learn new Russian words and phrases, including numbers, in context. Happy counting, or as they say in Russian, "Счастливого счёта!" (Schastlivogo schyota!)