Georgian Numbers 1-20: Complete Guide with Pronunciation
Georgian uses a vigesimal (base-20) counting system, which makes it different from the base-10 system used in English and most European languages. Understanding numbers 1 through 20 is especially important because these form the building blocks for all larger numbers. Once you know 1-20, you can construct any number in Georgian by combining these roots. This guide walks you through each number with pronunciation and explains the logic behind the system.
Georgian Numbers 1 to 10
The first ten numbers are the foundation. Each is a unique word that you need to memorize individually, much like in English.
- 1 - ერთი (erti)
- 2 - ორი (ori)
- 3 - სამი (sami)
- 4 - ოთხი (otkhi)
- 5 - ხუთი (khuti)
- 6 - ექვსი (ekvsi)
- 7 - შვიდი (shvidi)
- 8 - რვა (rva)
- 9 - ცხრა (tskhra)
- 10 - ათი (ati)
Notice that Georgian numbers are phonetically consistent. Each letter always makes the same sound, so once you learn the alphabet, reading these numbers aloud is straightforward. Numbers 8 (rva) and 9 (tskhra) contain consonant clusters that may feel challenging at first, but they become natural with a little practice.
Georgian Numbers 11 to 19
Numbers 11 through 19 follow a pattern where you take the root of the ones digit and add it to a modified form of "ten." The pattern uses "t" as a prefix (from "ati," ten) plus the ones digit, connected with specific vowels. Here is the full list.
- 11 - თერთმეტი (tertmeti) - literally "one-on-ten"
- 12 - თორმეტი (tormeti) - "two-on-ten"
- 13 - ცამეტი (tsameti) - "three-on-ten"
- 14 - თოთხმეტი (totkhmeti) - "four-on-ten"
- 15 - თხუთმეტი (tkhutmeti) - "five-on-ten"
- 16 - თექვსმეტი (teksvmeti) - "six-on-ten"
- 17 - ჩვიდმეტი (chvidmeti) - "seven-on-ten"
- 18 - თვრამეტი (tvrameti) - "eight-on-ten"
- 19 - ცხრამეტი (tskhrameti) - "nine-on-ten"
The pattern becomes clear once you see it: each teen number combines a shortened form of the ones digit with "meti" (which comes from "met," meaning "more"). So 13 is essentially "three-more-than-ten" and 17 is "seven-more-than-ten." This is not so different from the English pattern of "thirteen" (three-ten) or "seventeen" (seven-ten).
The Number 20: The Key to Georgian Counting
Twenty in Georgian is "otsi" (ოცი), and it holds special importance because Georgian uses a vigesimal (base-20) system for larger numbers. In English, we count in tens (twenty, thirty, forty), but in Georgian, numbers above 20 are built around multiples of 20. For example, 40 is "or-motsi" (two-twenties), 60 is "sam-otsi" (three-twenties), and 80 is "otkh-motsi" (four-twenties). Understanding this concept now will save you considerable confusion later.
How the Base-20 System Works
The vigesimal system is not unique to Georgian. French uses it partially (quatre-vingts = four-twenties = 80), and Basque and Danish also have traces of it. In Georgian, numbers from 21 to 39 are built as "twenty-and-one," "twenty-and-two," and so on. Specifically, 21 is "ots-da-erti" (twenty-and-one), 25 is "ots-da-khuti" (twenty-and-five), and 30 is "ots-da-ati" (twenty-and-ten). The formula is consistent: take the largest multiple of 20 that fits, then add the remainder.
Tips for Memorizing Georgian Numbers
- Learn 1-10 first and drill them until they are automatic before moving to 11-20
- Practice counting out loud daily, even just while walking or cooking
- Use Georgian numbers in real life: count stairs, items at the store, or pages in a book
- Notice the patterns in 11-19: each is a compressed version of the ones digit plus "meti"
- Practice with our flashcard deck specifically designed for Georgian numbers
Fun fact: The Georgian word for 20, "otsi" (ოცი), comes from the same root as "oci," which some linguists connect to an ancient counting system based on fingers and toes, giving twenty as the full body count.