In this guide, we will provide you with an overview of how to say numbers in Russian, covering both formal and informal ways. We will also touch upon any regional variations when necessary. Whether you’re traveling to Russia, learning the language, or simply curious about numbers in Russian, this guide will help you grasp the basics and provide you with plenty of tips and examples along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Numbers
In formal settings, such as official documents, academic or business environments, the following guidelines will help you express numbers in Russian:
TIP: When expressing numbers formally, remember to follow the grammatical rules of agreement. For example, the gender and case of the noun accompanying the number may influence its form.
Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are used to denote quantity or count in Russian. Here are the cardinal numbers from 0 to 10:
- ноль (nol) – zero
- один (a-deen) – one
- два (dva) – two
- три (tree) – three
- четыре (chee-ty-re) – four
- пять (pyat’) – five
- шесть (shest’) – six
- семь (syem’) – seven
- восемь (va-syem’) – eight
- девять (dyev-yat’) – nine
- десять (dye-syat’) – ten
For numbers beyond ten, the general rule is to form them using a combination of the cardinal numbers above. For example:
11 – одиннадцать (a-deen-na-tsy) – one plus ten
15 – пятнадцать (pyat-na-tsyat’) – five plus ten
27 – двадцать семь (dva-tsat’ syem’) – twenty plus seven
Keep in mind that agreement rules apply here too. The gender and case of the noun following the number will determine its form. For example:
одна книга (a-dna knee-ga) – one book (feminine)
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers are used when ranking, ordering, or specifying a position. They are formed differently than cardinal numbers in Russian. Here are the ordinal numbers for the first ten:
- первый (pyer-vïy) – first
- второй (vtor-oy) – second
- третий (tret-iy) – third
- четвёртый (chyet-vyor-tïy) – fourth
- пятый (pïa-tïy) – fifth
- шестой (shyest-oy) – sixth
- седьмой (syed’-moî) – seventh
- восьмой (vohs’-moî) – eighth
- девятый (dyev-yat-ïy) – ninth
- десятый (dye-sya-tïy) – tenth
Ordinal numbers in Russian also need to agree with gender and case. For example:
первая книга (pye-rva-ya knee-ga) – first book (feminine)
Informal Ways to Say Numbers
Informal or colloquial expressions of numbers in Russian are commonly used in daily conversations among family, friends, and informal settings. Here are a few examples:
- ноль (nol) – zero
- один (a-deen) – one
- два (dva) – two
- три (tree) – three
- четыре (chee-ty-re) – four
- пять (pyat’) – five
- шесть (shest’) – six
- семь (syem’) – seven
- восемь (va-syem’) – eight
- девять (dyev-yat’) – nine
- десять (dye-syat’) – ten
While the numbers are the same as in formal expressions, keep in mind that pronunciation might differ slightly due to colloquial speech patterns.
Regional Variations
In general, numbers in Russian are relatively consistent across regions. However, pronunciation and intonation may vary slightly depending on the region. For example, people in Moscow might pronounce some numbers differently compared to those in St. Petersburg. Nevertheless, these differences are minimal and do not significantly affect communication.
Now that you have a solid understanding of both formal and informal ways to say numbers in Russian, go ahead and practice saying them out loud. Remember, the key to mastering any language is practice and immersion. Enjoy learning Russian, and have fun exploring its rich language and cultural heritage!
TIP: To further enhance your language skills, consider taking a Russian language course, engaging in conversational practice, or immersing yourself in Russian culture and media. This will greatly aid your understanding and fluency in no time.
