Learning a new language can feel overwhelming, but starting with the basics, like the numbers, makes it easier. Bulgarian numbers are straightforward and follow clear patterns, and you’ll use them everywhere, whether you’re shopping, telling the time, or simply counting objects around you.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at Bulgarian numbers from 0 to 1,000, how they change with gender, and simple tips for practicing them.
Table Of Contents
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.
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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.
What Are 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.
So don’t underestimate Bulgarian kids: by the end of their twelve school grades, they have worked through a lot of maths! The good news for you is that the basics of counting in Bulgarian follow simple patterns.
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!
How Do Bulgarian Numbers Work 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: edinadeset (единадесет)
- twelve 12: dvanadeset (дванадесет)
- …and so on up to nineteen 19.
- twenty 20: dvadeset (двадесет)
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: dvadeset i edno (двадесет и едно)
- twenty-two 22: dvadeset i dve (двадесет и две)
How Do You Say 100 And 1,000 In Bulgarian?
Let’s aim high. Here’s how you can count larger Bulgarian numbers:
- hundred 100: sto (сто)
- two hundred 200: dvesta (двеста)
- three hundred 300: trista (триста)
- thousand 1000: hilyada (хиляда)
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?
How Do Bulgarian Numbers Change With Gender?
Here’s where it gets a little tricky: numbers can change based on grammatical context in Bulgarian. For instance:
- When counting objects, numbers like “one” and “two” have gender-specific forms. For “one”, that is edin (един) for masculine, edna (една) for feminine, edno (едно) 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 a pair of shoes. – 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 kids’ 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
A language app gives you a little practice every day. The Ling app teaches Bulgarian with flashcards, native speaker audio and Writing lessons for the Cyrillic alphabet, and our list of apps to learn Bulgarian compares it with other options. 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
How Do You Say 25 In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the number twenty-five is dvadeset i pet (двадесет и пет).
How Do You Say 13 In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the number thirteen is trinadeset (тринадесет).
What Is The Bulgarian Number Code?
The Bulgarian country calling code is +359, read as tri-pet-devet (три-пет-девет).
Ready To Keep Counting In Bulgarian?
Well done, you made it from nula all the way to hilyada! Keep saying the numbers out loud whenever you shop, check the time or share a phone number, and they will soon feel natural.
With flashcards, native speaker audio and Writing lessons for the Cyrillic alphabet, Ling keeps your daily Bulgarian practice simple and fun. Start learning Bulgarian today, and as they say in Bulgaria: Enjoy counting! – Priyatno broene! (Приятно броене!)
