Humor and numbers are the most difficult aspects to learn in any language. Humor because jokes and anecdotes carry a strong cultural connection and linguistic puns that are usually hard to grasp for beginners; numbers because they are not written out and thus disrupt the flow, forcing the reader or speaker to incorporate a set of rules rather than a memorized word. Even advanced speakers of a foreign language will therefore often resort to counting in their mother tongue because it is familiar and thus easier and quicker.
Why Learning Hindi Numbers Is Challenging
There is a reason why numerals in English and Hindi look similar – because the modern numeral system originated in India, developed between the 1st and 5th century. For those learning Hindi, the numbers written in Devanagari (devnahgree), the Hindi writing system, pose a challenge. It is not helping that some numerals look like English numbers or letters because often, they do not resemble the ones they represent.
Thus, similar to false friends – seemingly similar words in two languages but with different meanings – the apparent familiarity of Hindi numbers from 0 to 9 is quite misleading. For example, the 4 looks like an 8, the 6 like a capital cursive E, the 1 looks like a 9, etc. But with the help of simple mnemonics and rhymes, one can overcome this challenge and learn Hindi numbers quickly and without mixing them up.
Zero, 1, 2 and 3 in Hindi
The key to writing the numbers from 0 to 9 in Hindi is to keep their cursive English versions in mind (see image below). This plus an extra squiggle or line here or there will help Hindi learners out in most cases. Let’s look at the numbers from 0 to 3: Of this number group, only the 1 is difficult as it looks like a curvy or cursive 9. Zero, 2 and 3 look like cursive versions of the same English numerals . The following rhymes incorporating number names, pronunciations and writing will help you remember their peculiarities:
- Shunya (shooniyah) means zero - a small circle in the middle is our hero.
- Ek say ehk is one – curvy nine with extra line – done!
- Do (dough) means two – let a cursive two guide you.
- Teen (teen) is three - extra squiggle at the end will make it your friend.
Four, 5, and 6 in Hindi
Four, 5 and 6 form a difficult group because they all look like other numbers or letters. The 4 is especially tricky because it looks like an 8; the 5 looks like a shoddily written 6 and well, the 6 looks like an inverted 3 or a capital E. Don’t worry, it’ll get easier, especially with these rhymes:
- Char (chaar) is four but looks like eight, dividing it by two will set it straight.
- Panch (paanch) means five – a hasty six plus line will make it come alive.
- Che (che) means six – cursive capital E up to tricks.
Seven, 8 and 9 in Hindi
At first glance, 7, 8 and 9 in Hindi look like Hindi letters rather than numbers. A closer look reveals that the 6 just seems to be turned by 90 degrees; 7 looks like a capital C hanging from its own line and the 9 like a squiggly, flipped version of the number. Use these rhymes to learn the number names as well.
- Saat (saaht) or seven tricks galore – make a six sleep on the floor.
- Aat (aaht) or eight is divine – capital C hanging from a line.
- Nau (now) means nine – invert it and you’re fine.
Do keep in mind that there are variations in the way Hindi numbers from 0 to 9 are written. Do familiarize yourself with all of them so that you can identify Hindi numbers in any situation – when reading price tags, deciphering street signs or taking the bus.
For those wondering why to learn Hindi in the first place, here’s an article that sheds light on three good reasons (hint: Bollywood stars and music, for example).
Simone Preuss - Simone is a freelance writer, editor and translator who decided to go solo after a successful career in publishing. That was more than ...
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