Latin Numbers
Learning the Latin Numbers is very important because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the Latin language. But first we need to know what the role of Numbers is in the structure of the grammar in Latin.
Latin cardinal number convey the "how many" they're also known as "counting numbers," because they show quantity.
Grammar Tips:
In Latin numbers
from 1 to 10 are unique and therefore need to be memorized individually.
Numbers from 11 and upwards are formed by using the following pattern: first 2
or 3 letters plus ten (decim). For example 13 tredecim can be formed by
using 10 + 3 while connecting them. Higher numerals are formed by stating
twenty, thirty, etc. and the digit following. 22 =
vīgintī duo. 45 can be formed by quadrāgintā quīnque.
Here are some examples:
| English Numbers | Latin Numbers |
| numbers | numeri cardinales |
| one | unus |
| two | duo |
| three | tres |
| four | quattuor |
| five | quinque |
| six | sex |
| seven | septem |
| eight | octo |
| nine | novem |
| ten | decem |
| eleven | undecim |
| twelve | duodecim |
| thirteen | tredecim |
| fourteen | quattuordecim |
| fifteen | quindecim |
| sixteen | sedecim |
| seventeen | septemdecim |
| eighteen | duodeviginti |
| nineteen | undeviginti |
| twenty | viginti |
| hundred | centum |
| one thousand | mille |
| million | decies centena milia |
As you can see from the example above, the structure of the Numbers in Latin has a logical pattern. Locate the Numbers above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in Latin.
List of Ordinal Numbers in Latin
Latin Ordinal numbers tell the order of things in a set: first, second, third, etc. Ordinal numbers do not show quantity. They only show rank or position. Below is a list of the Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers in Latin. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Latin vocabulary.
| English Numbers | Latin Numbers |
| Ordinal Numbers | numeri ordinales |
| first | primus |
| second | secundus |
| third | tertius |
| fourth | quartus |
| fifth | quintus |
| sixth | sextus |
| seventh | septimus |
| eighth | octavus |
| ninth | nonus |
| tenth | decimus |
| eleventh | undecimus |
| twelfth | duodecimus |
| thirteenth | tertius decimus |
| fourteenth | quartus decimus |
| fifteenth | quintus decimus |
| sixteenth | sextus decimus |
| seventeenth | septimus decimus |
| eighteenth | duodevicesimus |
| nineteenth | undevicesimus |
| twentieth | vicesimus |
| once | quondam |
| twice | bis |
Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers have a very important role in Latin, therefore they need very special attention. Once you're done with Latin Numbers, you might want to check the rest of our Latin lessons here: Learn Latin. Don't forget to bookmark this page.