When learning a new language, mastering the numbers and counting system is fundamental as it permeates daily interactions, from shopping to setting up appointments. Galician, a language spoken in the northwest of Spain, shares many similarities with Portuguese but has its unique charm and nuances. In this article, we will explore the numbers in Galician, including cardinal and ordinal numbers, and practical examples of how they are used in everyday conversation. By the end, you should have a solid understanding of counting in Galician that will aid in furthering your language skills.

Basic Numbers from 0 to 10

The foundations of counting in Galician begin with learning the numbers from zero to ten. These basic numbers are crucial for forming larger numbers and performing daily tasks such as buying groceries or telling time.

– 0 – cero
– 1 – un (masculine), unha (feminine)
– 2 – dous (masculine), dúas (feminine)
– 3 – tres
– 4 – catro
– 5 – cinco
– 6 – seis
– 7 – sete
– 8 – oito
– 9 – nove
– 10 – dez

For example, if you want to say “I have one cat” in Galician, you would say: “Teño un gato” if the cat is male, and “Teño unha gata” if the cat is female.

Numbers from 11 to 20

Learning numbers from eleven to twenty is the next step. These are unique and must be memorized individually, similar to English.

– 11 – once
– 12 – doce
– 13 – trece
– 14 – catorce
– 15 – quince
– 16 – dezaseis
– 17 – dezasete
– 18 – dezoito
– 19 – dezanove
– 20 – vinte

For example, to say “She is thirteen years old,” you would say in Galician: “Ela ten trece anos”.

Tens, Hundreds, and Thousands

Once you are comfortable with numbers up to twenty, you can easily learn the tens (30, 40, etc.), which follow a regular pattern, similar to the twenties.

– 30 – trinta
– 40 – corenta
– 50 – cincuenta
– 60 – sesenta
– 70 – setenta
– 80 – oitenta
– 90 – noventa

For hundreds and thousands, Galician uses the following:

– 100 – cen
– 200 – douscentos (masculine), dúascentas (feminine)
– 1000 – mil
– 2000 – dous mil

To express a number like 450 in Galician, you would say: “catrocentos cincuenta”.

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers in Galician are used to describe the order or position of an object or person, such as first, second, and third. Here are some examples:

– First – primeiro (masculine), primeira (feminine)
– Second – segundo (masculine), segunda (feminine)
– Third – terceiro (masculine), terceira (feminine)

For instance, if you want to say “She is the first student,” in Galician, you would say: “Ela é a primeira estudante”.

Practical Applications

Knowing how to count in Galician can be extremely useful in various real-life situations. Whether you’re at a market, discussing prices, or making plans, numbers are essential. For example, if you are at a store and want to buy three apples, you would say: “Quero tres mazás”.

Conclusion

Numbers are a fundamental part of any language, and learning them in Galician can enhance your ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings. By familiarizing yourself with the basic, ordinal, and larger numbers discussed in this article, you will be well-equipped to engage in everyday conversations and deepen your understanding of this beautiful language. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these numbers in real-life scenarios to become more proficient.