Numbers

1. Kelen, fila, saba

   One, two, three

   Usage

   Counting from one to three

   Grammar Note

   Numbers follow the noun ("mɔgɔ fila" = two people). "saba" is spelled like a word for a large basket

2. Naani, duuru, wɔɔrɔ

   Four, five, six

   Usage

   Counting from four to six

   Grammar Note

   Long vowels are written double. "duuru" is the Bambara form; Jula says "looru"

3. Wolonwula, seegin, kɔnɔntɔn

   Seven, eight, nine

   Usage

   Counting from seven to nine

   Grammar Note

   "seegin" is also written "segin" and "wolonwula" is also "wolonfila" in the dictionary

4. Tan

   Ten

   Usage

   The word for ten; in compound numbers it appears as "tan ni …"

   Grammar Note

   From eleven on, numbers are joined with "ni" (and), as in "tan ni kelen"

5. Kɛmɛ, waa kelen

   One hundred, one thousand

   Usage

   How to say one hundred and one thousand

   Grammar Note

   "waa" (thousand) must be used with a number according to the dictionary. In markets "ba" can also mean a thousand

6. Tan ni kelen, tan ni fila

   Eleven, twelve

   Usage

   How to say eleven and twelve

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has forms like "tân ni náani" (14). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

7. Mugan

   Twenty

   Usage

   The word for twenty

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "mùgân ni sàba" (23). 21 and up follow "mugan ni kelen"

8. Bi saba

   Thirty

   Usage

   The word for thirty

   Grammar Note

   From thirty up, tens are "bi + number" (bi naani = 40, bi duuru = 50). The dictionary has "bî sàba" (30)

9. Kɛmɛ fila ni bi duuru

   Two hundred and fifty

   Usage

   For amounts; mind the unit when quoting market prices

   Grammar Note

   In markets prices may be quoted in units of 5 francs (dɔrɔmɛ), so always confirm the amount. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

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