Ethiopic Numeral Symbols
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Ethiopic numerals use specific Ge'ez characters for 1-10, 20-90, and powers of 100.
- Numbers 1-9 have unique symbols: ፩ (1), ፪ (2), ፫ (3), ፬ (4), ፭ (5), ፮ (6), ፯ (7), ፰ (8), ፱ (9).
- Tens (10-90) have their own symbols: ፲ (10), ፳ (20), ፴ (30), ፵ (40), ፶ (50), ፷ (60), ፸ (70), ፹ (80), ፺ (90).
- Combine symbols to form larger numbers: ፲፩ is 11 (10+1).
Ethiopic Numeral Base Symbols
| Value | Symbol | Name |
|---|---|---|
|
1
|
፩
|
አንድ
|
|
2
|
፪
|
ሁለት
|
|
3
|
፫
|
ሦስት
|
|
10
|
፲
|
አስር
|
|
20
|
፳
|
ሃያ
|
|
100
|
፻
|
መቶ
|
Meanings
The traditional Ethiopic numeral system used for numbering lists, chapters, and historical dates.
Basic Counting
Representing quantities in traditional contexts.
“፩ (1)”
“፭ (5)”
List Numbering
Used in formal documents or religious texts.
“፩. መግቢያ (1. Introduction)”
“፪. ዋናው ክፍል (2. Main part)”
Historical Dates
Used for years in traditional calendars.
“፳፻፲፮ (2016)”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Unit
|
Single symbol
|
፭ (5)
|
|
Teen
|
10 + Unit
|
፲፫ (13)
|
|
Ten
|
Tens symbol
|
፵ (40)
|
|
Complex
|
Tens + Unit
|
፵፪ (42)
|
|
Hundred
|
Multiplier + 100
|
፫፻ (300)
|
|
Large
|
Hundred + Tens + Unit
|
፫፻፵፪ (342)
|
Spectre de formalité
ምዕራፍ ፩ (Book chapter)
ምዕራፍ ፩ (Book chapter)
ምዕራፍ 1 (Book chapter)
ምዕራፍ 1 (Book chapter)
Ethiopic Numeral Structure
Units
- ፩ 1
- ፱ 9
Tens
- ፲ 10
- ፺ 90
Exemples par niveau
፩
1
፪
2
፫
3
፬
4
፲፩
11
፲፪
12
፳
20
፴
30
፳፭
25
፵፮
46
፸፱
79
፺
90
፻፩
101
፪፻
200
፫፻፲
310
፭፻፶
550
፲፻
1000
፳፻፲፮
2016
፻፻
10000
፱፻፺፱
999
፳፻፲፮ ዓ.ም
2016 E.C.
፻፻፻
1000000
፭፻፳፭
525
፮፻፹፬
684
Facile à confondre
Learners try to use 0-9 for everything.
Confusing letters with numerals.
Thinking ፲፩ is 101.
Erreurs courantes
10
፲
0
None
11 as ፩፩
፲፩
፲፲
፳
፳፭ as ፭፳
፳፭
፻፩ as ፩፻
፻፩
፵ as ፲፲፲፲
፵
፲፻ as ፻፲
፲፻
፳፻፲፮ as ፳፻፲፮ (with zero)
፳፻፲፮
Using ፻ for 1000
፲፻
Structures de phrases
ይህ ቁጥር ___ ነው
ገጽ ___ ላይ አለ
ምዕራፍ ___ በጣም አስደሳች ነው
ዓመተ ምህረት ___ ተጻፈ
Real World Usage
መዝሙር ፲፪
ዓ.ም ፳፻፲
፩. መግቢያ
ገጽ ፵፭
፳፻፲፮
፩
Memorize the base
No Zero
Additive Logic
Context Matters
Smart Tips
Break the number into tens and units.
Always write the tens symbol first.
Treat it as a multiplier base.
Recognize it as 1000.
Prononciation
Reading
Read the symbols as their Amharic number names (e.g., ፩ = and)
List reading
፩... ፪... ፫...
Rising pitch for each item.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of the '10' symbol (፲) as a gatekeeper that lets the units (1-9) stand behind it to form numbers.
Association visuelle
Imagine the symbols as ancient carvings on a stone wall, where each shape represents a specific quantity of grain.
Rhyme
One is ፩, two is ፪, ten is ፲, that's the way!
Story
A monk is counting pages in a book. He starts with ፩, then ፪. When he reaches ፲, he marks the page with the special 'ten' symbol. He continues until he reaches ፳, the symbol for twenty.
Word Web
Défi
Write your current age using Ethiopic numerals on a piece of paper.
Notes culturelles
These numerals are standard in liturgical books.
Used in old-school manuscripts.
Arabic numerals are used for everything else.
Derived from the Ge'ez script, which was adapted from the South Arabian script.
Amorces de conversation
ይህ ቁጥር ምንድን ነው? (What is this number?)
፳፭ ማለት ስንት ነው? (What is 25?)
ለምን የኢትዮጵያ ቁጥሮች እንጠቀማለን? (Why do we use Ethiopic numerals?)
የኢትዮጵያ ቁጥሮች እና የአረብኛ ቁጥሮች ልዩነት ምንድን ነው? (What is the difference between Ethiopic and Arabic numerals?)
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
What is ፲፩?
The symbol for 20 is ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Is ፲፪ equal to 12?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Write 30 in Ethiopic.
A: What is ፵? B: It is ___.
How to write 25?
What is ፻?
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesWhat is ፲፩?
The symbol for 20 is ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Is ፲፪ equal to 12?
Match ፭ to its value.
Write 30 in Ethiopic.
A: What is ፵? B: It is ___.
How to write 25?
What is ፻?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, mostly in formal or traditional contexts.
You don't. There is no zero.
Not if you learn the base symbols first.
It's an additive system, not positional.
Only if it's very formal or cultural.
In old books, church texts, and monuments.
They are derived from them but have specific numeral markings.
Use the multiplier ፲ before ፻ (፲፻).
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Kanji numerals (一, 二, 三)
Japanese numerals are often used in daily life, while Ethiopic are mostly formal.
Abjad numerals
Abjad is strictly alphabetical; Ethiopic has dedicated numeral symbols.
Chinese numerals
Chinese numerals are still used in daily life.
Roman numerals
German uses Roman numerals for centuries; Ethiopic uses its own.
Roman numerals
Ethiopic system is base-10.
Roman numerals
Ethiopic is additive.
