Yoruba Numerals Made Easy: Counting from 1 to 100 Like a Local
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
To the untrained ear, Yoruba numbers might sound complex, full of twists and wordplay.
But to a Yoruba speaker, each number is a story: logical, rhythmic, and beautifully connected to culture.
Yoruba counting doesn’t just name numbers; it builds them through addition, subtraction, and clever linguistic turns.
By the end of this guide, you’ll see why Yoruba numerals are one of Africa’s most fascinating number systems.
1–10: The Building Blocks
| Number | Yoruba | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ọ̀kan | awh-kahn |
| 2 | Èjì | eh-jee |
| 3 | Ẹ̀ta | eh-tah |
| 4 | Ẹ̀rin | eh-reen |
| 5 | Àrún | ah-roon |
| 6 | Ẹ̀fà | eh-fah |
| 7 | Èje | eh-jeh |
| 8 | Ẹ̀jọ | eh-jaw |
| 9 | Ẹ̀sán | eh-sahn |
| 10 | Ẹ̀wá | eh-wah |
These ten are the foundation; once you master them, Yoruba counting begins to unfold beautifully.
11–20: Addition in Action
From 11 to 14, Yoruba adds numbers to ten using “lá” or “lé”:
| Number | Yoruba | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Ọ̀kànlá | one + on ten |
| 12 | Èjìlá | two + on ten |
| 13 | Ẹ̀talá | three + on ten |
| 14 | Ẹ̀rinlá | four + on ten |
| 15 | Ẹ̀ẹ́dógún | five less from twenty |
| 16 | Ẹ̀rìndínlógún | four less from twenty |
| 17 | Ẹ̀tadínlógún | three less from twenty |
| 18 | Ẹ̀jìdínlógún | two less from twenty |
| 19 | Ọ̀kàndínlógún | one less from twenty |
| 20 | Ogún | twenty |
Notice the Yoruba creativity here; numbers 15–19 use subtraction from 20! Yoruba math is both elegant and efficient.
Counting by Twenties: The Yoruba Logic
In Yoruba, 20 (ogún) is a key unit: numbers go by twenties.
This base-20 system (called vigesimal) is ancient and unique.
| Number | Yoruba | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Ọgbọ̀n | (20 + 10) |
| 40 | Ogójì | (20 × 2) |
| 50 | Àádọ́ta | (10 less from 60) |
| 60 | Ogóta | (20 × 3) |
| 70 | Àádọ́rin | (10 less from 80) |
| 80 | Ogórin | (20 × 4) |
| 90 | Àádọ́rún | (10 less from 100) |
| 100 | Ọgọ́rùn-ún | (20 × 5) |
Yoruba numerals switch between addition and subtraction, showing deep mental agility and pattern recognition.
A Few Observations That Will Make You Sound Fluent
Yoruba numbers are musical. Their tone marks change meaning; don’t ignore them.
Yoruba counting uses compound words; you’ll often find small connectors like “dín” (less) and “lé” (plus).
The number system connects to time, money, and trade. Yoruba merchants historically used base-20 for calculation.
Cultural Insight: Counting Is Communication
In Yoruba, numbers are part of storytelling.
Expressions like:
Ẹ̀ẹ́dógún ọdún — “five less from twenty years” = 15 years
Ogún ọdún — “twenty years”
show how time and age were measured poetically.
Even in greetings, Yoruba use counting to express respect:
Ẹ kú ọdún méjì! — “Congratulations on two years (anniversary)!”
Yoruba Words to Remember
Lá / Lé – To add
Dín – To subtract
Ogún – Twenty
Ọgọ́rùn-ún – Hundred
Àádọ́ – Ten less from...
Mastering these will make any Yoruba number instantly make sense.
Count & Speak Like a Local
The Yoruba numeral system is a masterpiece of logic and culture.
Once you start counting like a Yoruba speaker, you’ll realize it’s not about memorising; it’s about rhythm and reason.
Learn more on the NKENNE app, your guide to Yoruba words, culture, and everyday fluency.
Start counting. Start speaking. Start connecting.
FAQs: Yoruba Numerals
1. What about the numbers between 21 and 100?
Yoruba follows the same logic of addition (lé) and subtraction (dín) all the way up.
21 → Ọ̀kàn lé lọ́gún (One added to twenty)
32 → Ẹ̀jì lé lọgbọ̀n (Two added to thirty)
43 → Ẹ̀tà lé lọgójì (Three added to forty)
54 → Ẹ̀rìn dín lọgóta (Four less from sixty)
65 → Àrún lé lọgóta (Five added to sixty)
76 → Ẹ̀fà dín lọgórin (Six less from eighty)
87 → Èje lé lọgórin (Seven added to eighty)
98 → Ẹ̀jọ dín lọgọ́rùn-ún (Eight less from one hundred)
So Yoruba counting is predictable — once you understand the lé (add) and dín (subtract) rhythm, the rest flows like music.
2. How are ordinal numbers (first, second, third) expressed in Yoruba?
Ordinal numbers are formed with -kẹ́ta, -kẹ́rin, -kẹ́fà, etc., after the base number:
First → Àkọ́kọ́
Second → Èkejì
Third → Ẹ̀kẹ́ta
Fourth → Ẹ̀kẹ́rin
Fifth → Ẹ̀kẹ́rún
They are used in ranking, order, and ceremony, e.g., Ọmọ kéje (seventh child).
3. Why are Yoruba numbers sometimes described as “mathematical poetry”?
Because they are! Yoruba numerals follow logical subtraction and addition but sound lyrical. Saying Ẹ̀tadínlógún (17) literally means “three less from twenty”; a sentence that’s both numeric and poetic.
Count it. Speak it. Live It.
Counting in Yoruba isn’t just about numbers; it’s a window into how the Yoruba think, relate, and express beauty through precision.
Master the rhythm of Yoruba speech and counting on the NKENNE app, where language meets culture.
Start learning today.