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Bulgarian Numbers: Learn To Count From 0 To 1,000 With Ease
Make it fun and easy with the Ling app!
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Learning a new language can be overwhelming, but starting with the basics, like the numbers, is the best way to make it easier. It’s much more intuitive than you might think. Bulgarian numbers are straightforward and follow clear patterns, making them a great entry point into the language. And obviously, numbers are everywhere, whether you’re shopping, telling the time, or simply counting objects around you, so there is no chance you won’t learn them quickly.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at Bulgarian numbers and show you simple steps to mastering them. By the end, you’ll be able to count like a local without breaking a sweat!
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Why Learn Bulgarian Numbers?
Numbers are an essential part of everyday life. Whether you’re shopping for souvenirs in Sofia, counting objects at a farmer’s market, or telling someone your lucky number, you’ll use them all the time.
So, knowing the Bulgarian numbers actually makes it easier to engage with the language as a whole. Plus, it is a great way to practice pronunciation and build your confidence in conversations.
The Basics Of Bulgarian Numbers
Before we start counting, you need to know a few things.
- Bulgarian numbers can change depending on the gender of the noun they’re describing. Whether it would be one baby (neuter) – edno bebe (едно бебе) or one lady (feminine) – edna dama (една дама) it all depends on the noun.
- Bulgarian uses a decimal system (yay, simplicity!).
- You’ll notice patterns as you count higher. First, the basic numbers, then every tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on. This makes it easier to learn after understanding the fundamentals.
What Type Of Numbers Do Bulgarians Use?
Bulgarians, like most people around the world, use the Arabic numeral system—the 0 through 9 digits we’re all familiar with. This numeral system is widely considered the most efficient for mathematical calculations and everyday use, such as shopping, watching the clock, and picking out candles for the cake. It would be strange to blow out candles using Roman numerals.
Cardinal vs. Ordinal Bulgarian Numbers
In the Bulgarian language, there are also two types:
- Cardinal Numbers: These indicate quantity (e.g., one, two, three).
- Ordinal Numbers: These indicate the order of things (e.g., first, second, third).
Bulgarian cardinal numbers are used in most day-to-day situations, while ordinal numbers appear when describing rankings, dates, or sequences.
When Do Bulgarian Kids Learn Numbers?
Bulgarian kids start learning numbers early, just like kids worldwide. Bulgarian parents often introduce numbers to their children during the toddler stage, starting with simple counting games.
Then, formal exposure begins in preschool, so by the first grade, children learn to write and count numbers systematically, can confidently count to 100, and perform basic calculations.
In higher grades, students even learn college-level mathematics, with some complex problems introduced in recent years. So don’t underestimate Bulgarian kids—they go through tough times over the course of their twenty years of schooling, especially when trying to graduate.
So, you can definitely learn the basics of counting in Bulgarian fast!
Bulgarian Numbers From 1 To 10
Let’s take our first step into Bulgarian numbers. Ready? Here’s how to count from 1 to 10:
Number | English word | Bulgarian Word | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|---|
0 | zero | нула | nula |
1 | one | едно | edno |
2 | two | две | dve |
3 | three | три | tri |
4 | four | четири | chetiri |
5 | five | пет | pet |
6 | six | шест | shest |
7 | seven | седем | sedem |
8 | eight | осем | osem |
9 | nine | девет | devet |
10 | ten | десет | deset |
Quick Tip: Say them out loud, repeat them a few times, and write them down. Repetition is really the magic ingredient in language learning!
Bulgarian Numbers Beyond 10
Once you’ve got the first ten numbers down, you can easily count to 20 and beyond. Just combine the base number with -nadeset (-надесет).
Bulgarian numbers follow a logical pattern, much like in English:
- eleven 11: единадесет (edinadeset)
- twelve 12: дванадесет (dvanadeset)
- …and so on up to nineteen 19.
- twenty 20: двадесет (dvadeset)
Here’s where things get even simpler! To form numbers like 21, 22, and so forth, you combine the tens (20, 30, etc.) with the ones (1, 2, etc.) connecting them with “and” – i (и). For instance:
- twenty-one 21: двадесет и едно (dvadeset i edno)
- twenty-two 22: двадесет и две (dvadeset i dve)
Moving Up: 100, 1000, And Beyond
Let’s aim high. Here’s how you can count larger Bulgarian numbers:
- hundred 100: сто (sto)
- two hundred 200: двеста (dvesta)
- three hundred 300: триста (trista)
- thousand 1000: хиляда (hilyada)
As you can see, there’s a pattern here too. The structure makes it easier to learn even larger numbers. For instance, 101 would be “sto i edno“, 125 would be “sto dvadeset i pet” and so on. That seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it?
Bulgarian Numbers In Grammar
Here’s where it gets a little tricky: numbers can change based on grammatical context in Bulgarian. For instance:
- When counting masculine objects, numbers like “one” and “two” have gender-specific forms: един (edin) for masculine, една (edna) for feminine, (едно) edno for neuter and edni (едни) for plural.
For example:
- I only have one pen. – Imam samo edin himikal. (Имам само един химикал.)
- I saw only one beautiful picture. – Vidyah samo edna krasiva kartina. (Видях само една красива картина.)
- One button on my shirt broke. – Skusa mi se edno kopche ot rizata.(Скъса ми се едно копче от ризата.)
- I am waiting for the delivery of one shoe. – Chakam dostavka na edni obuvki. (Чакам доставка на едни обувки.)
Tips For Mastering Bulgarian Numbers
1. Practice With Real-Life Scenarios
Next time you’re traveling in Bulgaria and shopping or dining out, or let’s say you’re at a bakery looking for some Bulgarian food – practice phrases like:
- How much does it cost? – Kolko struva? (Колко струва?)
- Five leva, please. – Pet leva, molya. (Пет лева, моля.)
2. Make It Fun
Turn learning into a game. For instance, try counting objects around your home or play counting games with a Bulgarian friend.
3. Incorporate Numbers Into Conversations
Numbers pop up in daily life, from sharing your phone number to discussing time. The more you engage with them, the quicker you master their use.
4. Use Mnemonics And Songs
Create catchy rhymes or sing your way through the numbers. We all remember the kind’s songs about letters and numbers in our native language. Try to return to those years. It’s a great way to immerse yourself while practicing.
5. Use A Language-Learning App
These days, learning can be so easy! If you want to learn quickly and easy Bulgarian numbers your to-go tool is the Ling app. There, you can practice pronouncing, writing, listening, and using Bulgarian numbers in context so you can be confident in using them in real life. Give it a try—it’s just a click away.
How Do You Say “Numbers” In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the word “numbers” is translated as chisla (числа).
FAQs About Bulgarian Numbers
1. How Do You Say 25 In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the number twenty-five is spelled as dvadeset i pet (двадесет и пет).
2. How Do You Say 13 In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the number thirteen is spelled as trinadeset (тринадесет).
3. What Is The Bulgarian Number Code?
Bulgarian number code is +359 – tri-pet-devet (три-пет-девет).
Wrapping Up
Numbers are the basis of everyday life in every language, and Bulgarian is no exception. Mastering Bulgarian numbers is important for communicating more confidently when you have to go shopping or count objects to join in a conversation.
With practice, repetition, and a dash of musical fun, you’ll go from counting ‘one, two, three’ to tackling the bigger numbers like a pro. And don’t forget, the Ling app is there for easy, fast, and fun learning.
Happy counting, or as they say in Bulgaria: Enjoy counting! – Priyatno broene! (Приятно броене!)