Learning to count in Hebrew can be a fascinating and enriching experience. Hebrew, the ancient language of the Jewish people, is not only rich in history but also vibrant in modern use. Whether you are planning a trip to Israel, studying Jewish texts, or simply expanding your linguistic horizons, knowing how to count in Hebrew is a valuable skill. This comprehensive guide will take you through the basics of counting from 1 to 50 in Hebrew. We will provide you with the Hebrew numerals, phonetic pronunciations, and useful tips to help you master the numbers.

Basic Hebrew Numbers: 1 to 10

Before diving into counting all the way to 50, it’s essential to get a solid understanding of the first ten numbers in Hebrew. These form the foundation for all subsequent numbers.

1. One – אחד (Echad)
Pronunciation: eh-chahd

2. Two – שתיים (Shtayim)
Pronunciation: shtah-yeem

3. Three – שלוש (Shalosh)
Pronunciation: shah-lohsh

4. Four – ארבע (Arba)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah

5. Five – חמש (Chamesh)
Pronunciation: chah-mesh

6. Six – שש (Shesh)
Pronunciation: shesh

7. Seven – שבע (Sheva)
Pronunciation: sheh-vah

8. Eight – שמונה (Shmoneh)
Pronunciation: shmo-neh

9. Nine – תשע (Tesha)
Pronunciation: teh-shah

10. Ten – עשר (Eser)
Pronunciation: eh-ser

Counting from 11 to 19

To count from 11 to 19 in Hebrew, you need to understand how Hebrew numbers are constructed. These numbers are formed by combining the word for ten (עשר – Eser) with the numbers one through nine.

11. Eleven – אחד עשר (Echad Asar)
Pronunciation: eh-chahd ah-sahr

12. Twelve – שניים עשר (Shnayim Asar)
Pronunciation: shnah-yeem ah-sahr

13. Thirteen – שלוש עשר (Shlosha Asar)
Pronunciation: shloh-shah ah-sahr

14. Fourteen – ארבע עשר (Arba Asar)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah ah-sahr

15. Fifteen – חמש עשר (Chamesh Asar)
Pronunciation: chah-mesh ah-sahr

16. Sixteen – שש עשר (Shesh Asar)
Pronunciation: shesh ah-sahr

17. Seventeen – שבע עשר (Shva Asar)
Pronunciation: shvah ah-sahr

18. Eighteen – שמונה עשר (Shmoneh Asar)
Pronunciation: shmo-neh ah-sahr

19. Nineteen – תשע עשר (Tesha Asar)
Pronunciation: teh-shah ah-sahr

Counting by Tens: 20 to 90

Next, we will learn how to count by tens in Hebrew. These numbers are crucial as they will help us form the numbers from 20 to 50.

20. Twenty – עשרים (Esrim)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem

30. Thirty – שלושים (Shloshim)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem

40. Forty – ארבעים (Arba’im)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem

50. Fifty – חמישים (Chamishim)
Pronunciation: chah-mee-sheem

60. Sixty – שישים (Shishim)
Pronunciation: shee-sheem

70. Seventy – שבעים (Shiv’im)
Pronunciation: sheev-eem

80. Eighty – שמונים (Shmonim)
Pronunciation: shmo-neem

90. Ninety – תשעים (Tish’im)
Pronunciation: teesh-eem

Forming Numbers from 20 to 29

To count from 20 to 29 in Hebrew, you combine the word for twenty (עשרים – Esrim) with the numbers one through nine.

21. Twenty-One – עשרים ואחד (Esrim Ve’Echad)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-eh-chahd

22. Twenty-Two – עשרים ושתיים (Esrim Ve’Shtayim)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-shtah-yeem

23. Twenty-Three – עשרים ושלוש (Esrim Ve’Shalosh)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-shah-lohsh

24. Twenty-Four – עשרים וארבע (Esrim Ve’Arba)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-ahr-bah

25. Twenty-Five – עשרים וחמש (Esrim Ve’Chamesh)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-chah-mesh

26. Twenty-Six – עשרים ושש (Esrim Ve’Shesh)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-shesh

27. Twenty-Seven – עשרים ושבע (Esrim Ve’Sheva)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-sheh-vah

28. Twenty-Eight – עשרים ושמונה (Esrim Ve’Shmoneh)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-shmo-neh

29. Twenty-Nine – עשרים ותשע (Esrim Ve’Tesha)
Pronunciation: eh-sreem veh-teh-shah

Forming Numbers from 30 to 39

For numbers from 30 to 39, you will follow a similar pattern by combining thirty (שלושים – Shloshim) with the numbers one through nine.

31. Thirty-One – שלושים ואחד (Shloshim Ve’Echad)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-eh-chahd

32. Thirty-Two – שלושים ושתיים (Shloshim Ve’Shtayim)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-shtah-yeem

33. Thirty-Three – שלושים ושלוש (Shloshim Ve’Shalosh)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-shah-lohsh

34. Thirty-Four – שלושים וארבע (Shloshim Ve’Arba)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-ahr-bah

35. Thirty-Five – שלושים וחמש (Shloshim Ve’Chamesh)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-chah-mesh

36. Thirty-Six – שלושים ושש (Shloshim Ve’Shesh)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-shesh

37. Thirty-Seven – שלושים ושבע (Shloshim Ve’Sheva)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-sheh-vah

38. Thirty-Eight – שלושים ושמונה (Shloshim Ve’Shmoneh)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-shmo-neh

39. Thirty-Nine – שלושים ותשע (Shloshim Ve’Tesha)
Pronunciation: shloh-sheem veh-teh-shah

Forming Numbers from 40 to 49

To form numbers from 40 to 49, you combine forty (ארבעים – Arba’im) with the numbers one through nine.

41. Forty-One – ארבעים ואחד (Arba’im Ve’Echad)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-eh-chahd

42. Forty-Two – ארבעים ושתיים (Arba’im Ve’Shtayim)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-shtah-yeem

43. Forty-Three – ארבעים ושלוש (Arba’im Ve’Shalosh)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-shah-lohsh

44. Forty-Four – ארבעים וארבע (Arba’im Ve’Arba)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-ahr-bah

45. Forty-Five – ארבעים וחמש (Arba’im Ve’Chamesh)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-chah-mesh

46. Forty-Six – ארבעים ושש (Arba’im Ve’Shesh)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-shesh

47. Forty-Seven – ארבעים ושבע (Arba’im Ve’Sheva)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-sheh-vah

48. Forty-Eight – ארבעים ושמונה (Arba’im Ve’Shmoneh)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-shmo-neh

49. Forty-Nine – ארבעים ותשע (Arba’im Ve’Tesha)
Pronunciation: ahr-bah-eem veh-teh-shah

Reaching 50: Fifty in Hebrew

Finally, we reach fifty in Hebrew. Understanding the numbers up to this point makes fifty quite straightforward.

50. Fifty – חמישים (Chamishim)
Pronunciation: chah-mee-sheem

Tips for Mastering Hebrew Numbers

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of how to count to 50 in Hebrew, here are some tips to help you master these numbers:

Practice Regularly: Consistency is key when learning a new language. Set aside time each day to practice counting in Hebrew.

Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the Hebrew numeral on one side and the pronunciation on the other. This can help reinforce your memory.

Listen and Repeat: Find audio resources or videos where native speakers count in Hebrew. Listen carefully and repeat after them to improve your pronunciation.

Engage with Native Speakers: If possible, practice with native Hebrew speakers. This will give you real-world experience and help you become more comfortable with the language.

Integrate Numbers into Daily Life: Try to incorporate Hebrew numbers into your daily life. Count objects around you, tell the time, or even do simple math in Hebrew.

Join Language Learning Groups: Joining a language learning group or community can provide you with support and motivation. You can share your progress, ask questions, and learn from others.

Use Apps and Online Resources: There are numerous language learning apps and online resources that can aid your learning process. Some popular apps include Duolingo, Memrise, and Rosetta Stone.

Cultural Context and Importance of Hebrew Numbers

Understanding Hebrew numbers is not only beneficial for language learning but also for appreciating the cultural and historical significance of the Hebrew language. Hebrew is deeply intertwined with Jewish traditions, religious texts, and cultural practices. Knowing how to count in Hebrew can enhance your understanding of these aspects.

For instance, Hebrew numbers are used in various religious contexts, such as counting the Omer (the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot) or in the Torah. Additionally, many Jewish holidays, rituals, and customs involve the use of Hebrew numbers.

Conclusion

Learning how to count to 50 in Hebrew is a rewarding endeavor that opens up new avenues for cultural, historical, and linguistic exploration. By mastering these numbers, you are not only gaining a practical skill but also connecting with a rich and ancient tradition. Remember to practice regularly, use a variety of resources, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. With dedication and effort, you will find yourself confidently counting in Hebrew in no time.