Numbers Above Four
From five up, Guarani speakers use Spanish numbers, in words or in digits.
How It Works
Only the first four numbers have everyday Guarani names.
| Number | What people say |
|---|---|
| 1 | peteĩ |
| 2 | mokõi |
| 3 | mbohapy |
| 4 | irundy |
| 5 | cinco |
| 6 | seis |
| 10 | diez |
| 20 | veinte |
School books have Guarani names for the bigger numbers, such as po for 5 and pa for 10. Those words belong to school and formal writing, and everyday talk rarely uses them.
The Spanish number keeps its Spanish spelling, and in writing you often see digits: Areko 28 áño. The noun after the number usually stays singular.
To ask how old someone is, Guarani uses the verb for “have”: Mbovy ary reguereko? In everyday talk áño often takes the place of ary, and the question gets shorter: Mboy áño ereko?
Examples (3)
- Areko 28 áño.
I am 28 years old.
Guarani says “I have 28 years”. The number is Spanish, and áño takes the place of ary.
- Mboy áño ereko?
How old are you?
Quick speech shortens mbovy “how many” to mboy and re- to e-. Áño stays singular.
- Don Pedro oguereko diez ovecha.
Don Pedro has ten sheep.
Diez is a Spanish number. The noun after it takes no plural ending.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Numbers above four are said in Spanish, so learners need the Guarani numbers and Jopara.
- peteĩ / mokõi / mbohapy / irundyCounting to Four
Know the numbers one to four, because everything above them is said in Spanish: Areko 28 áño “I am 28 years old”.
Level 1 - Jopara and Guarani
Know Jopara, since Spanish numbers are the most common Spanish words used inside Guarani: Areko 28 áño “I am 28 years old”.
Foundations
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Numbers Above Four in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Guarani lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
