Numbers

1. Khumi

   Ten

   Usage

   The number ten, the base of the tens

   Grammar Note

   Multiples of ten use the plural "makhumi" (makhumi ghaŵiri = 20)

2. Khumi na ŵaŵiri

   Twelve (people)

   Usage

   Twelve people; numbers above ten take the form "khumi na ..."

   Grammar Note

   Number words agree with the class of what is counted: ŵaŵiri for people, viŵiri for things

3. Makhumi ghaŵiri

   Twenty

   Usage

   The number twenty

   Grammar Note

   Literally "two tens"; "makhumi ghankhondi" is fifty

4. Makhumi ghankhondi

   Fifty

   Usage

   The number fifty

   Grammar Note

   "nkhondi" is five, and six and above are built on it (ŵankhondi na yumoza = six people)

5. Hafu

   Half

   Usage

   For "half of it" or "an hour and a half"

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "half"; "ola limoza na hafu" is an hour and a half

6. Nili na vyaka makhumi ghatatu

   I am thirty years old

   Usage

   To state your age; swap the number as needed

   Grammar Note

   "makhumi ghatatu" is literally "three tens", and this answers "Muli na vyaka vilinga?". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ŵanthu ŵanayi

   Four people

   Usage

   For giving a headcount, such as seats, rooms or places in a car

   Grammar Note

   "ŵanayi" is "four" agreeing with people (class ŵa-), the same pattern as "Ŵanthu ŵaŵiri" (two people) and "Ŵanthu ŵatatu" (three people)

8. Ŵanthu ŵankhondi

   Five people

   Usage

   For giving the size of a group

   Grammar Note

   "ŵankhondi" is "five" agreeing with people; six and above are built on it (ŵankhondi na yumoza = six people)

9. Handiredi

   One hundred

   Usage

   The number one hundred, for prices, distances and larger counts

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "hundred"; the plural "mahandiredi" means hundreds, and "pa handiredi" ("per hundred") expresses percent; loanword, native review recommended

10. Chikwi

    One thousand

    Usage

    The number one thousand, for prices and spans of years

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "vikwi" (vikwi vitatu = 3,000); "vyaka chikwi" means a thousand years

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