Language/Old-english-ca-450-1100/Vocabulary/Count-to-10
Hi Old English (ca. 450-1100) learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn the basic numbers in Old English (ca. 450-1100). Counting in Old English is quite different from what you may be used to in modern English, so let's jump right in! Don't forget to use the links to practice your pronunciation and ask any questions you may have. 😃
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Education, Say Hello and Greetings in Old English (ca. 450-1100), Feelings and Emotions & Food.
Old English (ca. 450-1100) Numbers[edit | edit source]
Let's start with the basic numbers from one to ten. In Old English, the numbers are:
| Old English (ca. 450-1100) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ān | /ɑːn/ | one |
| twēgen | /ˈtweːjen/ | two |
| þrīe | /ˈθriːe/ | three |
| fēower | /ˈfeːower/ | four |
| fīf | /fiːf/ | five |
| siex | /siːeks/ | six |
| seofon | /ˈseofon/ | seven |
| eahta | /ˈeɑxtɑ/ | eight |
| nigon | /ˈniːɣon/ | nine |
| tīen | /ˈtiːen/ | ten |
Notice how the numbers are different from modern English, but we can still recognize some similarities. For example, "one" in Old English is "ān", which is similar to "an" in modern English. Next, we will practice using these numbers in context.
Fun Facts[edit | edit source]
- In Old English, the word for "hundred" was "hund". However, the concept of a "thousand" did not exist yet in the English language. - The word "zero" did not exist in Old English. Instead, people used "nān" to mean "none" or "not any". - Counting in Old English was done on a base of 20, rather than 10 like in modern English. This is why the word for "twenty" in Old English is "twēntig", which literally means "two tens".
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have learned how to count up to 10 in Old English (ca. 450-1100). Remember to use the Polyglot Club website to practice your pronunciation, find native speakers, and ask any questions! Keep going and don't forget to check the Old English (ca. 450-1100) Vocabulary page for more words and phrases. 😊
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]