Learning numbers for kids is often straightforward. Start with a rhyme or song with a fantastic, catchy tune – and viola! They’ve got it. At least learning one to ten, or even one to twenty can be quickly done like that. But when learning numbers in a foreign language as an adult, you may need a different approach. Let’s try learning Tamil numbers together!
Numbers are called எண் En in Tamil. Tamils represent numbers similarly to Arabic numerals. The number system in Tamil Nadu is made up of two systems, which are cardinal and ordinal numbers. Other languages have their representation and different glyphs, of course, but in Tamil language, Tamil numerals are pronounced or named the way it is written. We will look into this at length as you read on.
No Zero In Tamil Numbers
In the English Language, the number 234 is spelled and said as two hundred and thirty-four, but the Tamil system only requires you to spell and say ‘two, three, four.’ It is just the same way as it is written in numerals. Isn’t that fascinating? It certainly makes a lot of sense! Another example, 111 is spelled as one hundred and eleven. In Tamil, it is one one one.
Regarding zero, for the number 101, people worldwide never say one hundred, zero, and one when writing this number down. They always say one hundred and one. So, the question is – why the need for the number ‘zero’ in the first place? In the old Tamil language, people agreed there was no need for it. They did not have a zero, and the word for zero was பாழ் andru. The meaning of this is no, nothing or waste.
Modern Tamil decided to adapt the Hindi meaning of the word शून्य Shunya, or nothingness. Today, zero is சுழியம் Suliyam in Tamil and is represented as “0” borrowed from Hindi. Still, we all know that zero is necessary. How else would we write 10, 20, 30, 300, 3000, and so on? Let’s look in detail at how these are represented in Tamil numbers.
A List Of Tamil Numbers
For the numbers that are in tens, the words for “ten” will be used. Here are the numerals now for you to take a look at:
Looking at the digits and corresponding symbols in Tamil numerals, you can begin understanding the system that Tamil people follow. The Tamil region’s unique numeric style is reasonably practical and exciting. It would definitely give people that enjoy numbers a real kick!
Elaborating on what we have just seen from the list, taking the number 123 as an example, the placement of 1 is in hundreds, 2 is tens, and 3 is ones. This is how it will be written in Tamil: ௧௱௨௰௩.
It can be mathematically represented as 1 x 100 + 2 x 10 + 3.
Yes, of course, it is a bit surprising at first. It is what makes the Tamil language a genuinely classic one. Practice a few numbers and write what you think in the comments section!
Wrapping Up Tamil Numbers
The list above represents numbers in the cardinal form. The ordinal numbers in Tamil usually have the suffix “am” except for the first one. Take a look below:
Common fractions in Tamil are shown as this:
| Fractions | Tamil | Pronunciation | Sound |
| 1/2 | அரை | Arai | |
| 1/4 | கால் | Kal | |
| 3/4 | முக்கால் | Mukkal | |
| 1/8 | அரைக்கால் | Araikkal | |
| 1/5 | நாலுமா | Naluma | |
| 1/10 | இருமா | Irumā |
Learn Tamil With The Ling App
Based on the article, I hope you find the Tamil numbers easier to handle. It certainly is different from English but is also similar in many ways. The symbol of numbers will need to be written and practiced a few times. The transliterated numbers can be memorized even through a song.
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