Bridgit
Language Educator & Script Specialist ·
Malayalam Numbers 1 to 100
Numbers are one of the first things you need in any language — for prices, times, bus numbers, and quantities. This guide covers Malayalam numbers 1 to 100 with the Malayalam script, romanised pronunciation, and tips for building larger numbers from simple patterns you can learn in an afternoon.
Numbers 1–10
ഒന്ന്
onnu
sounds like on-nu
രണ്ട്
raṇṭu
sounds like run-tu
മൂന്ന്
mūnnu
sounds like moon-nu
നാല്
nālu
sounds like naa-lu
അഞ്ച്
añcu
sounds like un-chu
ആറ്
āṟu
sounds like aa-ru
ഏഴ്
ēḻu
sounds like ay-zhu
എട്ട്
eṭṭu
sounds like et-tu
ഒൻപത്
oṉpatu
sounds like on-pa-tu
പത്ത്
pattu
sounds like pat-tu
Numbers 11–20
11–19 follow the pattern: pati (10) + unit number.
പതിനൊന്ന്
patinonnu
പന്ത്രണ്ട്
pantiraṇṭu
പതിമൂന്ന്
patimūnnu
പതിനാല്
patinālu
പതിനഞ്ച്
patinañcu
പതിനാറ്
patināṟu
പതിനേഴ്
patinēḻu
പതിനെട്ട്
patineṭṭu
പത്തൊൻപത്
pattoṉpatu
ഇരുപത്
irupatu
Tens: 10–100
Each ten has its own root word. Memorise these and you can form any number.
| # | Script | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | പത്ത് | pattu |
| 20 | ഇരുപത് | irupatu |
| 30 | മുപ്പത് | muppatu |
| 40 | നാൽപ്പത് | nālppatu |
| 50 | അൻപത് | aṉpatu |
| 60 | അറുപത് | aṟupatu |
| 70 | എഴുപത് | eḻupatu |
| 80 | എൺപത് | eṇpatu |
| 90 | തൊണ്ണൂറ് | toṇṇūṟu |
| 100 | നൂറ് | nūṟu |
How Malayalam numbers are built
Malayalam numbers follow a decimal system with a few unique features. Numbers 11–19 are formed by prefixing 'pati' (10) to the unit — so 11 is pati + onnu = patinonnu. The tens (20, 30…) have their own root words derived from the unit multiplied by 10 — irupatu (20) comes from 'iru' (two) + 'patu' (10-group). Once you know the 10 base words and the 10 tens, you can form any number up to 99.
Numbers in everyday Kerala life
You will use numbers for prices at markets and restaurants (etra āṇ? — how much?), for telling the time (pattu maṇi — 10 o'clock), for bus and auto fares, and for distances. Malayalam-speaking shopkeepers in tourist areas often code-switch to English for prices, but knowing the numbers earns you immediate respect and sometimes a better deal.
Counting on your fingers — the Kerala way
In traditional Kerala counting, the little finger = 1 and the thumb = 5. Counting continues on the second hand for 6–10. When bargaining in local markets, vendors often show finger counts for prices rather than saying them aloud — a quick non-verbal shorthand between buyer and seller.
Useful number phrases
Some combinations you will hear constantly: 'oru' (one) used as an article — oru cāya means a tea. 'Raṇṭu' (two) with tickets or portions — raṇṭu dōśa (two dosas). 'Etra' (how many/much) starts most price questions. Time uses the suffix 'maṇi' — pattu maṇi means 10 o'clock.
“Once I learned the 10 root numbers and the 10 tens, counting to 100 in Malayalam felt like a puzzle that had already been solved. The patterns just click.”
Numbers unlock a huge part of daily life in Kerala — from negotiating auto fares to reading bus routes. Start with 1–10, practise until they are automatic, then layer in the teens and tens. The Hornbill Talks numbers quiz reinforces this progression with immediate feedback.
Test yourself now
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Malayalam numbers.