thelathini
/θɛ.lɑˈθi.ni/
The Swahili word for thirty is thelathini.
thelathini is used as a cardinal number to denote the quantity of thirty.
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike many other Swahili numbers, thelathini is an absolute number and does not change based on the noun class of the object being counted.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable. It is pronounced /θɛ.lɑˈθi.ni/.
Did you know?
- The word thelathini is borrowed directly from the Arabic word ṯalāṯīna. This reflects the deep historical influence of Arabic trade and religion on the Swahili coast.
- While thelathini is used for the number thirty, the Swahili word for three is tatu. These two words sound very different despite describing the same base value.
- The root for 'three' in Arabic, which informs thelathini, is shared with other Semitic languages, linking this Swahili number to ancient Hebrew roots.
Examples in context
- Niko na miaka thelathini sasa.I'm thirty now.This sentence shows how to use thelathini when stating your age.Tatoeba #8998997 by Nyambura, translation #2765317 by CK
- Shirika lina wati thelathini.The association counts thirty members.This sentence demonstrates using thelathini to count members in an association.Tatoeba #10842490 by ecorralest101, translation #1636671 by GeeZ
- "Nitakupa tembo ishirini kwa hiyo." "Hakuna kinachofanya. Dola thelathini, kuchua au uwache." "Shwari, basi nadhani nitafanya biashara yangu mahali pengine.""I'll give you twenty bucks for it." "Nothing doing. Thirty dollars, take it or leave it." "Fine, then I guess I'll take my business elsewhere."This sentence provides a context for using thelathini when negotiating a price in dollars.Tatoeba #10877989 by ecorralest101, translation #5670211 by mailohilohi
- thelathini na mbiliThirty-two
Example conversation
At a local market, Omari is buying fruit from Fatuma.
- OmariNipe matunda kwa shilingi thelathini.Give me the fruit for thirty shillings.
- FatumaSawa, Omari, nitakupa sanduku hili.Okay, Omari, I will give you this box.
- OmariJe, unaweza kupunguza bei?Can you lower the price?
- FatumaHapana, bei hiyo ni nzuri sana.No, that price is very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thirty” translations and entries thelathini, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries thelathini, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
