Numbers in Tagalog
Tagalog uses two number systems: native Tagalog numbers and Spanish-derived numbers. Both systems remain in use today, with Spanish numbers being more common in everyday conversation.
Cardinal Numbers
Native Tagalog Numbers (1-10)
Native Tagalog numbers are the indigenous counting system used when counting objects with specific counters and in traditional or formal contexts.
| Number | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| 1 | isa |
| 2 | dalawa |
| 3 | tatlo |
| 4 | apat |
| 5 | lima |
| 6 | anim |
| 7 | pito |
| 8 | walo |
| 9 | siyam |
| 10 | sampu |
Native Tagalog Numbers (Higher Values)
| Number | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| 20 | dalawampu |
| 30 | tatlumpu |
| 40 | apatnapu |
| 50 | limampu |
| 60 | animnapu |
| 70 | pitumpu |
| 80 | walumpu |
| 90 | siyamnapu |
| 100 | sandaan |
| 200 | dalawang daan |
| 1,000 | isang libo / sanlibo |
| 2,000 | dalawang libo |
For other numbers in the hundreds and thousands, combine a native number with daan (hundred) or libo (thousand):
- tatlong daan (300)
- apat na libo (4,000)
Spanish-Derived Numbers (1-20)
Spanish-derived numbers are used for telling time and in some traditional contexts, though English numbers have largely replaced them for money, prices, and ages in modern conversation.
| Number | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| 1 | uno |
| 2 | dos |
| 3 | tres |
| 4 | kwatro |
| 5 | singko |
| 6 | sais |
| 7 | siyete |
| 8 | otso |
| 9 | nuebe |
| 10 | diyes |
| 11 | onse |
| 12 | dose |
| 13 | trese |
| 14 | katorse |
| 15 | kinse |
| 16 | disisays |
| 17 | disisyete |
| 18 | diyesiotso |
| 19 | diyesinuebe |
| 20 | bente |
Spanish-Derived Numbers (Tens and Hundreds)
| Number | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| 30 | trenta |
| 40 | kwarenta |
| 50 | singkwenta |
| 60 | sesenta |
| 70 | setenta |
| 80 | otsenta |
| 90 | nobenta |
| 100 | siyento |
| 200 | dos siyentos / dosientos |
| 1,000 | mil |
| 1,000,000 | milyon |
Number Formation
Numbers between tens are formed by combining the tens digit with the ones digit: bente uno (21), trenta dos (32), kwarenta tres (43).
System Preference
English numbers dominate in modern usage for money, prices, ages, and telephone numbers. Spanish-derived numbers are used for telling time. Native Tagalog numbers are preferred when counting objects with nouns, in formal contexts, and for days/weeks/months/years.
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers indicate position or order in a sequence.
Using ika- Prefix
The most common way to form ordinal numbers is by adding the prefix ika- to cardinal numbers.
| Position | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| 1st | una |
| 2nd | ikalawa / pangalawa |
| 3rd | ikatlo / pangatlo |
| 4th | ikaapat / pang-apat |
| 5th | ikalima / panlima |
| 6th | ikaanim / pang-anim |
| 7th | ikapito / pampito |
| 8th | ikawalo / pangwalo |
| 9th | ikasiyam / pansiyam |
| 10th | ikasampu / pansampu |
Alternative Forms with pang-
Ordinal numbers can also be formed using the prefix pang-. This form is common in conversation. The prefix undergoes phonological changes based on the following sound:
- Before vowels or l: pang- → pang- (pang-apat, pang-anim, pangatlo)
- Before p, b, or m: pang- → pam- (pampito)
- Before other consonants: pang- → pan- (panlima, pansiyam)
Note that una (first) does not take the ika- or pang- prefix.
Examples:
- Ito ang unang araw ko sa trabaho.
(This is my first day at work.) - Nakatira kami sa ikatlong palapag.
(We live on the third floor.) - Siya ang ikalimang estudyante na dumating.
(He is the fifth student to arrive.)
Counting Objects
Native Tagalog numbers are typically used when counting specific objects, especially with measure words or counters.
With Nouns
When native numbers precede nouns, they connect using a linker. The linker form depends on the final sound of the number:
- Numbers ending in a vowel use -ng: tatlo + -ng → tatlong libro (three books)
- Numbers ending in a consonant use na: apat + na → apat na tao (four people)
Examples:
- tatlong libro
(three books) - limang bahay
(five houses) - walong buwan
(eight months)
With People
- apat na tao
(four people) - sampung bata
(ten children) - dalawang guro
(two teachers)
Money and Prices
In modern conversation, English numbers (one, two, three, etc.) are predominantly used for money and prices. Spanish-derived numbers are still understood and used by some speakers.
Examples:
- Magkano ito?
(How much is this?) - Singkuwenta pesos.
(Fifty pesos.) - Bente singko lang.
(Only twenty-five.) - Dose pesos at singkuwenta sentimos.
(Twelve pesos and fifty centavos.)
Casual Shorthand
In casual conversation, prices with centavos are often stated without "pesos" and "sentimos." For example, Dose pesos at singkuwenta sentimos is commonly shortened to dose singkuwenta.
Currency
The Philippine peso is divided into 100 centavos (sentimos in Tagalog). Prices are commonly stated in pesos, with centavos used for exact amounts.
Time-Related Numbers
Hours
Spanish numbers are used for stating hours:
- Alas dos ng hapon.
(Two o'clock in the afternoon.) - Alas dose ng tanghali.
(Twelve o'clock noon.)
Days, Weeks, Months
Native numbers are typically used with time period nouns:
- tatlong araw
(three days) - limang linggo
(five weeks) - anim na buwan
(six months) - dalawang taon
(two years)
See also: Time and Date
Age
English numbers are commonly used when stating age in modern conversation, though Spanish numbers are also understood:
- Ilang taon ka na?
(How old are you?) - Bente tres anyos ako.
(I am twenty-three years old.) - Dose anyos pa lang siya.
(He/She is only twelve years old.)
Variation
Native numbers can also be used: Dalawampu't tatlong taon na ako. (I am twenty-three years old.), though Spanish numbers are more common in casual conversation.
Fractions
Fractions use the word bahagi (part) or kalahati (half).
- kalahati
(one half / half) - kapat
(one fourth / quarter) - ikatlong bahagi
(one third) - ikalimang bahagi
(one fifth) - ikaanim na bahagi
(one sixth)
Examples:
- Kalahati lang ang naiwan.
(Only half remains.) - Tatlong kapat ng klase ay dumalo.
(Three quarters of the class attended.) - Ikatlong bahagi ng estudyante ay lumiban.
(One third of the students were absent.)
Percentages
Percentages use porsyento or bahagdan (percent):
- trenta porsyento
(thirty percent) - limampung bahagdan
(fifty percent)
Example:
- Bente porsyento ang diskwento.
(The discount is twenty percent.)
Mathematical Operations
Basic mathematical terms:
| Operation | Tagalog | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Addition | dagdag / plus | Dos plus tres ay singko. (Two plus three is five.) |
| Subtraction | bawas / minus | Diyes minus kwatro ay sais. (Ten minus four is six.) |
| Multiplication | beses / multiply | Tatlo beses dalawa ay anim. (Three times two is six.) |
| Division | hatiin / divide | Sampu hatiin sa dalawa ay lima. (Ten divided by two is five.) |
Decimals
Decimal points use punto or tuldok: tres punto kinse (3.15), singko tuldok singko (5.5).
Telephone Numbers
Telephone numbers are typically stated using English numbers in modern usage, read digit by digit. Spanish-derived numbers shown below are still understood:
- sero-nuebe-uno-dos-tres-kwatro-singko-sais-siyete-otso
(0912-345-6789)
Format
Philippine mobile numbers follow the format 09XX-XXX-XXXX (11 digits total). Landlines vary by region but typically use area codes.
Common Phrases with Numbers
- Isa pa.
(One more.) - Dalawang beses.
(Two times / Twice.) - Tatlong ulit.
(Three times.) - Wala.
(Zero / None.) - Lahat.
(All / Everything.) - Marami.
(Many / A lot.) - Kaunti.
(Few / A little.)
Regional Variations
Number Usage Differences
Some regions prefer Spanish numbers in all contexts, while others maintain stronger use of native Tagalog numbers. In Metro Manila and urban areas, Spanish-derived numbers dominate everyday conversation. Rural areas and older speakers may use native numbers more frequently.
See also: Time and Date, Pronouns