A1 Script & Writing 11 min read Easy

Persian Numbers 11-100: Counting Made Easy

Connect tens and units with the 'o' sound (و) to count any number from 21 to 99.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Persian numbers 11-19 use a suffix system, while 20-90 use distinct decade names plus the unit digit.

  • 11-19: Add 'dah' (10) to the unit, e.g., 'yazdah' (11).
  • 20-90: Use the decade name (e.g., 'bist' for 20) followed by the unit.
  • Compound numbers: Connect the decade and unit with 'o' (and), e.g., 'bist-o-yek' (21).
Decade + o + Unit = Compound Number (e.g., 20 + o + 1 = 21)

Overview

Mastering numbers beyond ten is a fundamental step in achieving fluency in Persian. For learners at the A1 CEFR level, understanding Persian numbers from 11 to 100 unlocks essential daily interactions, from stating your age to understanding prices. While initially challenging due to a combination of unique words and a logical combining system, Persian counting is built on a clear, consistent pattern once past the initial "teens." This guide will provide a structured, comprehensive approach to learning these numbers, focusing on pronunciation, written forms, and practical application.

How This Grammar Works

Persian, like English, operates on a decimal number system, using powers of ten. However, while the Persian script itself is written from right to left, Persian numerals are consistently written from left to right, following the international standard. For instance, the number 12 is written ۱۲ (davāzdah) and not ۲۱.
This visual convention is crucial to internalize early to avoid confusion.
A key feature of Persian numbers from 21 to 99 is the use of a connecting particle. This particle, represented by the letter و (vāv), functions as "and" to link the 'tens' digit with the 'units' digit. This و is pronounced as a short o sound, seamlessly joining the two parts of the number.
For example, 21 is بیست و یک (bist-o-yek), literally "twenty and one." This logical construction reduces the need for extensive memorization beyond the base numbers and the tens.
Unlike some other languages, Persian numbers do not inflect for grammatical gender, case, or definiteness. The form of the number remains constant regardless of the noun it modifies. This simplifies usage considerably for learners, as you don't need to adjust the number form when counting masculine or feminine nouns.
For instance, سه کتاب (seh ketāb, "three books") and سه گل (seh gol, "three flowers") use the same form of سه (seh), ensuring predictability.

Formation Pattern

1
Mastering Persian numbers 11-100 involves three distinct stages: memorizing the unique "teens" (11-19), learning the core "tens" (20, 30, etc.), and then applying a simple combining rule for all other two-digit numbers. Understanding these stages sequentially is key.
2
I. The Teens (11-19)
3
These numbers are foundational and behave somewhat irregularly. They generally incorporate the concept of ده (dah, "ten") but are expressed as single, unique words. Direct memorization is the most effective approach for an A1 learner.
4
| Number | Persian Script | Transliteration | Notes |
5
| ------ | -------------- | --------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
6
| 11 | یازده | yāzdah | |
7
| 12 | دوازده | davāzdah | |
8
| 13 | سیزده | sizdah | |
9
| 14 | چهارده | chahārdah | |
10
| 15 | پانزده | pānzdah | Colloquially often پونزده (poonzdah) |
11
| 16 | شانزده | shānzdah | |
12
| 17 | هفده | hefdah | Colloquially often هیوَده (hivdah) |
13
| 18 | هجده | hejdah | |
14
| 19 | نوزده | nūzdah | |
15
Notice that most of these numbers explicitly contain or implicitly derive from ده (dah). For example, یازده (yāzdah) is یک (yek, "one") + ده (dah). Phonological shifts in پانزده (pānzdah/poonzdah) and هفده (hefdah/hivdah) are common in spoken Persian for ease of articulation. Using these colloquial variants will make your speech sound more natural; for instance, پونزده تومن (poonzdah toman) means "fifteen Tomans."
16
II. The Tens (20, 30, ..., 90) and One Hundred (100)
17
These are the essential building blocks for all other two-digit numbers. Each 'ten' has its own unique word.
18
| Number | Persian Script | Transliteration |
19
| ------ | -------------- | --------------- |
20
| 20 | بیست | bist |
21
| 30 | سی | si |
22
| 40 | چهل | chehel |
23
| 50 | پنجاه | panjāh |
24
| 60 | شصت | shast |
25
| 70 | هفتاد | haftād |
26
| 80 | هشتاد | hashtād |
27
| 90 | نود | navad |
28
| 100 | صد | sad |
29
The word for 100, صد (sad), stands alone. Its pronunciation is crucial: it sounds like sæd (IPA /sæd/) or sod, not the English word "sad." This distinct pronunciation helps avoid confusion. For example, صد نفر (sad nafar) means "one hundred people."
30
III. The Combinations (21-99)
31
This is where Persian numbering becomes remarkably systematic. For any number between 21 and 99 that is not one of the "teens," you combine the appropriate 'ten' with the appropriate 'unit' (1-9) using the connector و (vāv, pronounced as o).
32
The Rule: [Ten] + و + [Unit (1-9)]
33
The و (vāv) is always written, but in speech, it becomes a brief o sound, linking the two parts. It is never pronounced as va in this context.
34
Examples:
35
21: بیست و یک (bist-o-yek) – "twenty and one"
36
بیست (bist) (twenty) + و (o) + یک (yek) (one)
37
35: سی و پنج (si-o-panj) – "thirty and five"
38
سی (si) (thirty) + و (o) + پنج (panj) (five)
39
48: چهل و هشت (chehel-o-hasht) – "forty and eight"
40
چهل (chehel) (forty) + و (o) + هشت (hasht) (eight)
41
67: شصت و هفت (shast-o-haft) – "sixty and seven"
42
شصت (shast) (sixty) + و (o) + هفت (haft) (seven)
43
99: نود و نه (navad-o-noh) – "ninety and nine"
44
نود (navad) (ninety) + و (o) + نه (noh) (nine)
45
This pattern is highly predictable, making it significantly easier to construct and understand larger numbers once the fundamental 'tens' and 'units' are memorized. The elegance of this system lies in its consistent application.
46
IV. Persian Digits (۰-۹)
47
In addition to the spoken and written words, it is essential to recognize and write Persian numerals, often called Eastern Arabic numerals. These are distinct from the Western Arabic numerals (0-9).
48
| Western | Persian Digit |
49
| ------- | ------------- |
50
| 0 | ۰ |
51
| 1 | ۱ |
52
| 2 | ۲ |\
53
| 3 | ۳ |\
54
| 4 | ۴ |\
55
| 5 | ۵ |\
56
| 6 | ۶ |\
57
| 7 | ۷ |\
58
| 8 | ۸ |\
59
| 9 | ۹ |\
60
Crucially, Persian numbers, whether in script or digit form, are always read and interpreted from left to right. This means ۹۵ is ninety-five (نود و پنج, navad-o-panj), not five-and-ninety. This left-to-right convention is universal in Persian contexts, from price tags to phone numbers and dates. Familiarity with them is as important as knowing the words themselves.

When To Use It

Numbers from 11 to 100 are integral to daily communication in Persian, demanding both recognition and active production.
  • Stating Age (سن - senn): A common use. When asked چند سالتونه؟ (chand sāletune?, "How old are you?"), you respond with ... سالمه (... sāleme, "I am ... years old").
  • من بیست و سه سالمه. (man bist-o-seh sāleme.) - "I am twenty-three years old."
  • برادرم هفده سالشه. (barādar-am hefdah sāleshe.) - "My brother is seventeen years old." (Colloquially hivdah is common).
  • Shopping and Prices (قیمت - gheymat): Everyday transactions often involve these numbers, even if larger sums are discussed in thousands or millions. Iranians frequently quote prices in تومان (Tomān), where one تومان (Tomān) equals ten ریال (Riyāl). So, پانزده تومن (pānzdah toman) typically means 15,000 Riyals.
  • این کتاب چهل و پنج هزار تومنه. (in ketāb chehel-o-panj hezār tomāne.) - "This book is forty-five thousand Tomans." (Meaning 450,000 Riyals).
  • یک کیلو سیب سی و دو تومن میشه. (yek kilo sib si-o-do toman mishe.) - "One kilo of apples is thirty-two Tomans." (Meaning 320,000 Riyals).
  • Telling Time (ساعت - sā'at): Used for minutes past the hour, or specific hour combinations.
  • ساعت شش و ده دقیقه است. (sā'at shesh-o-dah daghighe ast.) - "It's six and ten minutes (6:10)."
  • ساعت هشت و چهل و پنج دقیقه است. (sā'at hasht-o-chehel-o-panj daghighe ast.) - "It's eight and forty-five minutes (8:45)."
  • Phone Numbers (شماره تلفن - shomāreye telefon): While often recited digit by digit, some speakers might group numbers, especially in the teens or tens, for speed or clarity.
  • شماره من نود و یک، سی و چهار، بیست و نه، پنجاه و هفت است. (shomāreye man navad-o-yek, si-o-chahār, bist-o-noh, panjāh-o-haft ast.) - "My number is ninety-one, thirty-four, twenty-nine, fifty-seven."
  • Counting Objects (شمارش اجناس - shomāresh-e ajnās): From groceries to people in a group. The word تا (tā) is often used as a counter word.
  • بیست و پنج دانشجو در کلاس هستند. (bist-o-panj dāneshju dar kelās hastand.) - "There are twenty-five students in the class."
  • ما هفتاد و شش تا رأی گرفتیم. (mā haftād-o-shesh tā ra'y gereftim.) - "We got seventy-six votes."

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls. Understanding the linguistic reasons behind these errors accelerates mastery.
  • Confusion between "Teens" and "Tens": A frequent error involves pairs like شانزده (shānzdah, 16) and شصت (shast, 60).
  • The WHY: Both share initial sounds (sh-). The زده (zdah) suffix distinctly marks the "teen" numbers. The 'tens' (شصت - shast) are shorter words without this suffix.
  • Correction: Pay close attention to the dah suffix for teens. Practice minimal pairs like پانزده (pānzdah, 15) vs. پنجاه (panjāh, 50). Over-articulate the endings initially.
  • Omitting the Connector و (o): Saying بیست یک (bist yek) instead of بیست و یک (bist-o-yek) for 21.
  • The WHY: Learners may transfer English direct juxtaposition (e.g., "twenty-one"). In Persian, و (o) is a mandatory grammatical link.
  • Correction: Always remember the و (o) for numbers 21-99. Practice saying numbers aloud, exaggerating the o sound until it feels natural. Think of it as [Ten] + AND + [Unit].
  • Reading Digits Right-to-Left: Interpreting ۸۵ as 58 instead of 85.
  • The WHY: The Persian script is read right-to-left. However, Persian numerals adhere to the international left-to-right convention.
  • Correction: Consciously override the text-reading habit when encountering digits. Always scan digits from left to right for their value.
  • Incorrect Pronunciation of صد (sad, 100): Pronouncing it like the English word "sad."
  • The WHY: Homographs with English words can create interference.
  • Correction: The ا in صد (sad) is a short vowel, sounding like sæd (IPA /sæd/) or sod. It is not the long 'a' sound of "sad." Listen to native speakers carefully.
  • Ignoring Colloquial Variations: Strictly using پانزده (pānzdah) or هفده (hefdah) when پونزده (poonzdah) or هیوَده (hivdah) are more common.
  • The WHY: Learners are often taught formal Persian first and fear incorrect usage.
  • Correction: While formal forms are correct, integrating پونزده (poonzdah) and هیوَده (hivdah) into informal spoken Persian shows greater fluency.

Real Conversations

Understanding numbers in authentic Persian dialogue is crucial. These examples show numbers integrated into common social and transactional contexts.

- Buying Groceries at the Bazaar (Informal):

A

A

سلام آقا، این سیبا چندن؟ (salām āghā, in sibā chandan?) - "Hello sir, how much are these apples?"
B

B

سی و پنج تومن خانم. (si-o-panj toman khānom.) - "Thirty-five Tomans, madam."
A

A

سی و پنج؟ زیاده! سی تومن نمیدی؟ (si-o-panj? ziyāde! si toman nemidi?) - "Thirty-five? That's too much! Won't you give it for thirty Tomans?"
B

B

باشه، سی و دو تومن حساب میکنم براتون. (bāshe, si-o-do toman hesāb mikonam barātun.) - "Okay, I'll calculate it for thirty-two Tomans for you."

- Observation: This exchange showcases سی و پنج (si-o-panj, 35), سی (si, 30), and سی و دو (si-o-do, 32). Bargaining in bazaars often involves numbers around the quoted price.

- Discussing Age with a New Acquaintance (Casual):

A

A

راستی چند سالته؟ (rāsti chand sālete?) - "By the way, how old are you?"
B

B

من بیست و چهار سالمه. تو چی؟ (man bist-o-chahār sāleme. to chi?) - "I'm twenty-four. How about you?"
A

A

من نوزده سالمه. (man nūzdah sāleme.) - "I'm nineteen."

- Observation: بیست و چهار (bist-o-chahār, 24) and نوزده (nūzdah, 19) are used directly. The context is informal, indicated by چند سالته؟.

- Checking Meeting Time (Formal/Semi-formal):

A

A

قرار ما ساعت سه و سی دقیقه است، درسته؟ (gharār-e mā sā'at seh-o-si daghighe ast, doroste?) - "Our appointment is at three-thirty, correct?"
B

B

بله، سه و سی و پنج دقیقه اونجا هستم. (bale, seh-o-si-o-panj daghighe unjā hastam.) - "Yes, I'll be there at three-thirty-five."

- Observation: سی (si, 30) and سی و پنج (si-o-panj, 35) are used. Note the repetition of و (o) in سی و پنج دقیقه (si-o-panj daghighe), emphasizing its consistent use to link tens and units.

- Social Media Interaction (Modern Colloquial):

A

A

وای! بیست و هشت تا لایک گرفتم تو اینستاگرام! (vāy! bist-o-hasht tā lāyk gereftam tu Instagram!) - "Wow! I got twenty-eight likes on Instagram!"
B

B

عالیه! پست تو خیلی خوب بود، حداقل پنجاه تا لایک باید میگرفتی. (āliye! post-e to kheyli khub bud, hadd-e aghal panjāh tā lāyk bāyad migerefti.) - "Great! Your post was very good, you should have gotten at least fifty likes."

- Observation: بیست و هشت (bist-o-hasht, 28) and پنجاه (panjāh, 50) appear in a modern, informal context, demonstrating integration into discussions of digital metrics.

Quick FAQ

Addressing common questions clarifies doubts and reinforces understanding of subtleties in Persian numbers.
  • Q: Why does پانزده (pānzdah) sound like پونزده (poonzdah) and هفده (hefdah) like هیوَده (hivdah) in casual speech?
  • A: This is a natural phonological process in Persian. The vowel /ā/ in پانزده (pānzdah) often shifts to /u/ (or a sound close to 'oo') near certain consonants, making it پونزده (poonzdah). Similarly, /f/ in هفده (hefdah) can vocalize or assimilate, leading to هیوَده (hivdah). These shifts simplify pronunciation in rapid, informal conversation. Using these colloquial forms sounds more natural.
  • Q: Do I always have to use the و (o) connector between the tens and units?
  • A: Yes, grammatically, و (o) is required for numbers 21-99. Omitting it will sound incorrect. Think of it as a mandatory small bridge. While written و (vāv), it's almost always pronounced as a short o sound, never va, in this numerical context.
  • Q: What's the difference between formal and informal pronunciation for these numbers?
  • A: For most numbers 11-100, formal and informal pronunciations are identical, especially for 'tens' and 'units'. The primary informal variations are پانزده (pānzdah \u2192 پونزده (poonzdah)) and هفده (hefdah \u2192 هیوَده (hivdah)). In very rapid casual speech, the o in و (o) might be pronounced very fleetingly, but it's still mentally present.
  • Q: How do I distinguish between ده (dah, 10) and صد (sad, 100) or سی (si, 30) and سه (seh, 3)?
  • A: The key is listening to final consonants and vowel lengths. ده (dah) ends with a clear /h/. صد (sad) is sæd or sod. سی (si) has a distinct long /i/ vowel, while سه (seh) has a short /e/. Practice distinguishing these minimal pairs through listening exercises.
  • Q: Is it important to learn the Persian digits (۰ ۱ ۲ ۳ ۴ ۵ ۶ ۷ ۸ ۹) right away?
  • A: Absolutely. You will encounter these digits everywhere: prices, addresses, phone numbers, and dates. Being able to read and recognize them is fundamental for navigating daily life and any form of written Persian. Treat them as essential vocabulary alongside the spoken words.
  • Q: If Persian is written right-to-left, why are numbers written left-to-right?
  • A: This is a historical convention from the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, which was typically written left-to-right. This convention was maintained even as the script for words evolved differently across cultures like Arabic and Persian. It provides a universal standard for numerical representation, facilitating cross-cultural communication.

Decade and Unit Construction

Decade Connector Unit Result
بیست (20)
و (o)
یک (1)
بیست و یک (21)
سی (30)
و (o)
دو (2)
سی و دو (32)
چهل (40)
و (o)
سه (3)
چهل و سه (43)
پنجاه (50)
و (o)
چهار (4)
پنجاه و چهار (54)
شصت (60)
و (o)
پنج (5)
شصت و پنج (65)
هفتاد (70)
و (o)
شش (6)
هفتاد و شش (76)
هشتاد (80)
و (o)
هفت (7)
هشتاد و هفت (87)
نود (90)
و (o)
هشت (8)
نود و هشت (98)

Meanings

Cardinal numbers are used to express quantity, age, time, and prices in everyday Persian.

1

Counting quantities

Used for counting objects or people.

“یازده کتاب (yāzdah ketāb - 11 books)”

“سی و دو نفر (si-o-do nafar - 32 people)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Persian Numbers 11-100: Counting Made Easy
Form Structure Example
Teens
Special form
یازده (11)
Decades
Base name
بیست (20)
Compound
Decade + o + Unit
بیست و یک (21)
Negative
Not applicable
N/A
Question
Number + noun?
چند کتاب؟ (How many books?)

Formality Spectrum

Formal
من بیست و یک کتاب دارم.

من بیست و یک کتاب دارم. (Talking about belongings.)

Neutral
من بیست و یک کتاب دارم.

من بیست و یک کتاب دارم. (Talking about belongings.)

Informal
بیست و یک تا کتاب دارم.

بیست و یک تا کتاب دارم. (Talking about belongings.)

Slang
بیست و یک تا دارم.

بیست و یک تا دارم. (Talking about belongings.)

Persian Number Tree

Numbers

Teens

  • یازده 11
  • نوزده 19

Decades

  • بیست 20
  • نود 90
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Examples by Level

1

یازده سیب

11 apples

2

بیست و دو

22

3

سی و پنج

35

4

چهل و نه

49

1

من بیست و پنج سال دارم

I am 25 years old

2

این کتاب پنجاه و دو تومان است

This book is 52 Tomans

3

او شصت و هشت ساله است

He is 68 years old

4

هفتاد و سه نفر آمدند

73 people came

1

قیمت این ماشین هشتاد و نه میلیون تومان است

The price of this car is 89 million Tomans

2

ما نود و چهار دقیقه منتظر ماندیم

We waited for 94 minutes

3

او در سال هزار و سیصد و هشتاد متولد شد

He was born in the year 1380

4

سی و نه درصد مردم موافق هستند

39 percent of people agree

1

بودجه پروژه حدود هفتاد و پنج هزار دلار برآورد شده است

The project budget is estimated at around 75,000 dollars

2

تعداد شرکت‌کنندگان به پنجاه و شش نفر رسید

The number of participants reached 56

3

او چهل و دو مقاله علمی منتشر کرده است

He has published 42 scientific articles

4

نرخ بهره به هجده درصد افزایش یافت

The interest rate increased to 18 percent

1

این اثر شامل شصت و هفت بخش مجزا است

This work contains 67 distinct sections

2

تولید ناخالص داخلی با رشد نود و دو درصدی مواجه شد

The GDP faced a 92 percent growth

3

او بیش از هشتاد و پنج سال در این شهر زندگی کرد

He lived in this city for over 85 years

4

تعداد قربانیان به نوزده نفر رسید

The number of victims reached 19

1

در کتیبه‌های باستانی، عدد هفتاد و چهار بار تکرار شده است

In ancient inscriptions, the number is repeated 74 times

2

او با دقت نود و نه درصد این آزمایش را انجام داد

He performed this experiment with 99 percent accuracy

3

این مجموعه شامل بیست و هشت جلد کتاب خطی است

This collection includes 28 volumes of manuscripts

4

او در سن هفده سالگی به اوج شهرت رسید

He reached the peak of fame at the age of 17

Easily Confused

Persian Numbers 11-100: Counting Made Easy vs Cardinal vs Ordinal

Learners often use 'yek' (1) instead of 'avval' (1st).

Persian Numbers 11-100: Counting Made Easy vs Pluralization

Learners add 'hā' to nouns after numbers.

Persian Numbers 11-100: Counting Made Easy vs 17 vs 18

Both start with 'hef/hejd'.

Common Mistakes

✗

بیست یک

✓

بیست و یک

Missing the 'o' connector.
✗

یازده کتاب‌ها

✓

یازده کتاب

Pluralizing the noun after a number.
✗

سی و ده

✓

چهل

Trying to add numbers instead of using the decade name.
✗

هفده و هجده confusion

✓

hefdah vs hejdah

Mixing up the similar sounding teens.
✗

بیست و یکم

✓

بیست و یک

Using ordinal instead of cardinal.
✗

ده نفرها

✓

ده نفر

Redundant pluralization.
✗

چهل و ده

✓

پنجاه

Mathematical error in naming.
✗

هزار و سیصد و هشتاد و یک

✓

هزار و سیصد و هشتاد و یک

Correct, but often mispronounced in fast speech.
✗

نود و نه درصدها

✓

نود و نه درصد

Pluralizing percentages.
✗

بیست و یک سالگی

✓

بیست و یک سال

Using age-state instead of age-count.
✗

هشتاد و نه تا

✓

هشتاد و نه

Overusing the counter 'tā' in formal writing.
✗

نوزده نفران

✓

نوزده نفر

Incorrect pluralization of human counters.
✗

هفتاد و شش درصدان

✓

هفتاد و شش درصد

Incorrect pluralization.

Sentence Patterns

من ___ سال دارم.

این ___ تومان است.

من ___ کتاب خریدم.

در این شهر ___ نفر زندگی می‌کنند.

Real World Usage

Bakery constant

پنج تا نان سنگک بده.

Taxi very common

کرایه چقدر است؟ بیست و پنج تومان.

Social Media common

من بیست و دو سالمه.

Job Interview occasional

من چهل و دو سال سابقه کار دارم.

Travel common

هتل ما در طبقه دوازدهم است.

Food Delivery very common

هزینه ارسال سی تومان است.

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💡

Singular Nouns

Always keep the noun singular after a number. Never add 'hā' or 'ān'.
⚠️

Teens

11-19 are irregular. Memorize them as a block.
🎯

The 'o' connector

The 'o' is your best friend for numbers 21-99. Don't skip it!
💬

Counter 'tā'

In casual speech, Iranians often add 'tā' after the number.

Smart Tips

Use the counter 'tā' in casual conversation to sound more like a native speaker.

من دو کتاب دارم. → من دو تا کتاب دارم.

Use the suffix 'e' (short for 'ast') for age in informal speech.

من بیست سال دارم. → بیست سالمه.

Always use the 'o' connector for numbers above 20.

بیست یک → بیست و یک

Break them down into smaller chunks to avoid confusion.

هزار و سیصد و هشتاد و یک → هزار و سیصد / هشتاد و یک

Pronunciation

o

The 'o' connector

The 'o' is pronounced like the 'o' in 'go' but shorter.

yāz-dah

Teens

The 'dah' suffix is pronounced clearly.

Rising at the end

بیست و یک؟ ↑

Asking for confirmation of a number.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'o' as a bridge connecting the big decade to the little unit.

Visual Association

Imagine a big '20' (bist) holding hands with a little '1' (yek) using a bridge shaped like the letter 'o'.

Rhyme

Bist o yek is twenty-one, counting Persian is such fun!

Story

Ali has 20 apples. He finds 1 more. Now he has 'bist-o-yek' apples. He shares them with 30 friends, so he needs 'si' plates.

Word Web

یازدهبیستسیچهلپنجاهشصتهفتادهشتادنود

Challenge

Count from 20 to 30 out loud in 30 seconds.

Cultural Notes

In Iran, numbers are often used with the counter 'tā' in casual speech.

Similar usage, but pronunciation might vary slightly.

Uses Cyrillic script, but the number system is identical.

Persian numbers are Indo-European in origin, sharing roots with Sanskrit and Latin.

Conversation Starters

“

چند سال داری؟ (How old are you?)

“

قیمت این چقدر است؟ (How much is this?)

“

چند نفر در کلاس هستند؟ (How many people are in class?)

“

چند کتاب در کتابخانه داری؟ (How many books do you have in the library?)

Journal Prompts

Write about your family members and their ages.
Describe a shopping trip where you bought several items.
Write a short report on the number of students in your school.
Reflect on a historical event using dates.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank for 21.

بیست ___ یک

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: و
The connector 'o' (و) is used.
Choose the correct number for 11. Multiple Choice

11 is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: یازده
یازده is 11.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

دو کتاب‌ها

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: دو کتاب
Nouns remain singular after numbers.
Change to formal. Sentence Transformation

بیست و یک تا کتاب دارم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من بیست و یک کتاب دارم.
Remove 'tā' for formal register.
Match the number. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: سی
سی is 30.
Order the sentence. Sentence Building

سال / دارم / بیست / من / و / پنج

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من بیست و پنج سال دارم.
Correct Persian word order.
Is this true? True False Rule

Nouns after numbers are plural.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They are singular.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: چند سالته؟ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بیست سالمه.
Correct age expression.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank for 21.

بیست ___ یک

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: و
The connector 'o' (و) is used.
Choose the correct number for 11. Multiple Choice

11 is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: یازده
یازده is 11.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

دو کتاب‌ها

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: دو کتاب
Nouns remain singular after numbers.
Change to formal. Sentence Transformation

بیست و یک تا کتاب دارم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من بیست و یک کتاب دارم.
Remove 'tā' for formal register.
Match the number. Match Pairs

Match 30.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: سی
سی is 30.
Order the sentence. Sentence Building

سال / دارم / بیست / من / و / پنج

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من بیست و پنج سال دارم.
Correct Persian word order.
Is this true? True False Rule

Nouns after numbers are plural.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They are singular.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: چند سالته؟ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بیست سالمه.
Correct age expression.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
What is 100 in Persian? Fill in the Blank

عدد ۱۰۰ به فارسی می شود: ____

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: صد
Put the words in order to say 'Twenty-three' Sentence Reorder

Order these: [سه, و, بیست]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: بیست و سه
Translate 'Fourteen' to Persian. Translation

Fourteen

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: چهارده
Match the numeral to the word. Match Pairs

Match these pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 40:چهل, 50:پنجاه, 60:شصت, 70:هفتاد
Correct the spelling of 15 (informal). Error Correction

پونزه

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: پونزده
How do you write 88 in Persian script? Multiple Choice

88 is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ۸۸
Complete the sequence: 10, 20, 30, ___ Fill in the Blank

ده، بیست، سی، ____

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: چهل
Translate 'Ninety' to Persian. Translation

Ninety

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: نود
What is 11 in Persian? Multiple Choice

11 is:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: یازده
Say 'Fifty-one' in Persian. Sentence Reorder

Order: [یک, و, پنجاه]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: پنجاه و یک

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, it helps to recognize them in daily life, though you can use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) in most digital contexts.

It is a historical contraction of 'yek' (1) and 'dah' (10).

Only in very casual speech or when listing numbers, but for compound numbers, 'o' is mandatory.

No, Persian numbers are gender-neutral.

It sounds unnatural and might confuse the listener, as it breaks the compound structure.

100 is 'sad'.

The numbers themselves are the same, but the surrounding sentence structure changes.

'Tā' is a counter used in colloquial Persian to make counting sound more natural.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

veintiuno (21)

Persian uses a connector word; Spanish uses a merged word.

French low

soixante-dix (70)

Persian is strictly decimal.

German moderate

einundzwanzig (21)

Word order of units and decades.

Japanese moderate

ni-ju-ichi (21)

Japanese uses a multiplier (ten) instead of a unique decade name.

Arabic high

wahid wa 'ishrun (21)

Arabic has gendered numbers; Persian does not.

Chinese moderate

er-shi-yi (21)

Chinese is purely multiplicative.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Persian Numbers 0-10 (yek, do, seh)

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