Numbers You Need Every Day

Imagine you're standing at a café in Tallinn.

You order a coffee, and the cashier tells you the price in Estonian.

You know how to say hello, thank you, and ask someone to repeat themselves.

But do you understand the number?

Or imagine looking for bus number 15, telling someone your phone number, or asking for two tickets.

Numbers are among the most useful things you can learn in any language.

In this lesson, you'll learn Estonian numbers through situations you'll encounter in everyday life.

Today's mission: Recognize numbers, understand simple quantities, and start using Estonian when shopping or getting around.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Count from 0 to 20 in Estonian.
• Understand how numbers from 21 to 100 are formed.
• Recognize hundreds and thousands.
• Understand numbers in simple prices.
• Identify bus and tram numbers.
• Say simple quantities when ordering.
• Recognize spoken numbers without immediately translating them into English.

A1 learning goal: Understand and use basic numbers, quantities, and familiar numerical information in predictable everyday situations.

1. Your First Five Numbers

Let's start with the numbers you'll use most often.

Number	Estonian
0	null
1	üks
2	kaks
3	kolm
4	neli
5	viis

Listen to each number.

null

üks

kaks

kolm

neli

viis

Listen and Repeat

Repeat the sequence three times.

On your first repetition, focus on pronunciation.

On the second, try remembering the number before hearing it.

On the third, look away from the text and count independently.

A Useful Pronunciation Reminder

Pay attention to:

üks

The letter ü is pronounced differently from the English letter "u."

You practiced this sound in Module 1.

2. Numbers Six to Ten

Now let's continue.

Number	Estonian
6	kuus
7	seitse
8	kaheksa
9	üheksa
10	kümme

Listen:

kuus

seitse

kaheksa

üheksa

kümme

Count from One to Ten

Practice

Try counting from one to ten without looking.

If you forget a number, listen to the sequence again.

Don't worry about speed.

Accuracy and recognition come first.

3. Your First Number Challenge

Imagine you're buying apples at a supermarket.

You want three apples.

The number is:

kolm

You want five apples.

viis

You want two bottles of water.

kaks

Quick Recognition

Match each Estonian number with its English meaning.

1. seitse
2. kolm
3. üheksa
4. viis
5. kaks

A. Two

B. Five

C. Nine

D. Seven

E. Three

Answers

1. D
2. E
3. C
4. B
5. A

4. Numbers Eleven to Twenty

Estonian numbers from 11 to 19 follow a helpful pattern.

Number	Estonian
11	üksteist
12	kaksteist
13	kolmteist
14	neliteist
15	viisteist
16	kuusteist
17	seitseteist
18	kaheksateist
19	üheksateist
20	kakskümmend

Listen:

Discover the Pattern

Look at these numbers:

• üks → üksteist
• kaks → kaksteist
• kolm → kolmteist
• neli → neliteist
• viis → viisteist

The numbers from 11 to 19 use the ending -teist.

This makes them easier to learn as a group.

A Practical Example

Imagine you're waiting for bus number 15.

Buss number viisteist.

Meaning: Bus number fifteen.

Or you're looking for apartment number 12.

Korter number kaksteist.

Meaning: Apartment number twelve.

Practice

Say these numbers aloud:

11, 13, 15, 18, 20.

Suggested answers:

üksteist

kolmteist

viisteist

kaheksateist

kakskümmend

5. Numbers from Twenty to One Hundred

Now comes the good news.

Once you understand the pattern, numbers become much easier.

Number	Estonian
20	kakskümmend
30	kolmkümmend
40	nelikümmend
50	viiskümmend
60	kuuskümmend
70	seitsekümmend
80	kaheksakümmend
90	üheksakümmend
100	sada

Listen:

How the Pattern Works

The tens use -kümmend.

For example:

• kaks + kümmend → kakskümmend
• kolm + kümmend → kolmkümmend
• viis + kümmend → viiskümmend

Once you know the basic numbers, the tens become easier to recognize.

6. Building Numbers Like 21, 35, and 48

In Estonian, compound numbers between the tens are commonly written as separate words.

For example:

kakskümmend üks

21 — Twenty-one.

kolmkümmend viis

35 — Thirty-five.

nelikümmend kaheksa

48 — Forty-eight.

viiskümmend kaks

52 — Fifty-two.

üheksakümmend üheksa

99 — Ninety-nine.

Understand the Structure

Tens + Units

For example:

35 = 30 + 5

kolmkümmend viis

This pattern works consistently for the numbers covered here.

Try It Yourself

How would you say:

1. 22
2. 31
3. 46
4. 57
5. 89

Answers

1. kakskümmend kaks
2. kolmkümmend üks
3. nelikümmend kuus
4. viiskümmend seitse
5. kaheksakümmend üheksa

Listen to the answers.

7. Hundreds and Thousands

Now let's learn larger numbers.

You don't need to memorize every possible number.

For A1, focus on recognizing common combinations.

One Hundred

sada

100 — One hundred.

Two Hundred

kakssada

200 — Two hundred.

Three Hundred

kolmsada

300 — Three hundred.

Five Hundred

viissada

500 — Five hundred.

One Thousand

tuhat

1000 — One thousand.

Two Thousand

kaks tuhat

2000 — Two thousand.

Notice the Pattern

For hundreds:

• sada
• kakssada
• kolmsada
• nelisada
• viissada

For thousands:

• tuhat
• kaks tuhat
• kolm tuhat
• viis tuhat

More Examples

sada viis

105 — One hundred and five.

sada kakskümmend

120 — One hundred and twenty.

kakssada viiskümmend

250 — Two hundred and fifty.

tuhat viissada

1500 — One thousand five hundred.

Practical Tip

You will encounter larger numbers in:

• Addresses
• Apartment numbers
• Prices
• Years
• Phone numbers
• Public transport
• Documents

You don't need to master all these contexts immediately.

The goal is to understand the building blocks.

8. Numbers in Real Life: Bus and Tram Numbers

Imagine you're standing at a bus stop in Tallinn.

You're looking for bus number 18.

You might say:

Buss number kaheksateist.

Meaning: Bus number eighteen.

Or:

Tramm number neli.

Meaning: Tram number four.

Important Vocabulary

buss

Bus.

tramm

Tram.

number

Number.

A Useful Question

Kas see on buss number viis?

Meaning: Is this bus number five?

You already learned how kas introduces yes/no questions in Module 1.

Now you're using the same pattern with numbers.

Example Dialogue

English Translation

You: Excuse me!

Person: Yes?

You: Is this bus number five?

Person: No, this is bus number six.

You: Thank you!

Person: You're welcome!

What Did You Learn?

You're combining:

• Polite expressions
• Simple questions
• Numbers
• Yes/no responses

This is how you move from memorizing vocabulary to using Estonian.

9. Numbers in Real Life: Ordering Things

Numbers are especially useful when ordering food and drinks.

You already know:

Üks kohv, palun.

Meaning: One coffee, please.

Now let's extend that idea.

Two Coffees

Kaks kohvi, palun.

Meaning: Two coffees, please.

Three Coffees

Kolm kohvi, palun.

Meaning: Three coffees, please.

Two Teas

Kaks teed, palun.

Meaning: Two teas, please.

Three Apples

Kolm õuna, palun.

Meaning: Three apples, please.

A Small Grammar Discovery

Notice something interesting.

In English, we often use plural nouns after numbers greater than one.

In Estonian, the noun after numbers like kaks and kolm usually takes a form called the singular partitive.

For example:

• üks kohv
• kaks kohvi
• kolm kohvi

And:

• üks õun
• kaks õuna
• kolm õuna

You do not need to memorize partitive-case rules today.

For now, learn the complete expressions.

We'll study this important pattern more systematically later.

Café Dialogue

English Translation

Customer: Hello!

Employee: Hello!

Customer: Two coffees, please.

Employee: Anything else?

Customer: No, thank you.

Employee: Here you go!

Customer: Thank you!

Practice

Imagine you're ordering drinks for two people.

Say:

Kaks kohvi, palun.

Now imagine ordering three.

Kolm kohvi, palun.

Repeat until you can change the number naturally.

10. Recognizing Numbers in Prices

Imagine you're buying a coffee.

The cashier says:

Kolm eurot.

Meaning: Three euros.

Or:

Viis eurot.

Meaning: Five euros.

More Examples

Kaks eurot.

Two euros.

Seitse eurot.

Seven euros.

Kaksteist eurot.

Twelve euros.

Kakskümmend eurot.

Twenty euros.

Another Grammar Pattern

Notice:

• üks euro
• kaks eurot
• kolm eurot
• viis eurot

The noun form changes after üks.

This is the same general numerical pattern you saw with coffee and apples.

We'll explore it in detail in later lessons.

For now, remember:

Üks euro.

Kaks eurot.

Listening Practice

Listen and identify the price.

Price 1

Neli eurot.

A. €2

B. €4

C. €7

Price 2

Üheksa eurot.

A. €9

B. €5

C. €11

Price 3

Viisteist eurot.

A. €15

B. €50

C. €5

Answers

1. B — €4
2. A — €9
3. A — €15

11. Numbers in Phone Numbers

Phone numbers are another everyday situation where recognizing individual digits matters.

In Estonian, phone numbers can be read as individual digits or grouped numbers.

For beginners, reading the digits individually is a useful starting point.

Example Phone Number

5123 4567

For digit-by-digit practice:

Another Example

5550 1234

Practice

Try reading this example number aloud:

5302 4618

Think about the digits individually.

Then check:

Important

These are fictional practice numbers.

You don't need to share your personal phone number to complete this exercise.

12. Asking How Many

Let's introduce a useful question.

Mitu?

Meaning: How many?

You can use it when asking about countable quantities.

Examples

Mitu kohvi?

Meaning: How many coffees?

Mitu piletit?

Meaning: How many tickets?

Mitu inimest?

Meaning: How many people?

Example Dialogue

English Translation

Employee: Hello!

Customer: Hello!

Employee: How many tickets?

Customer: Two tickets, please.

Employee: Here you go!

Customer: Thank you!

Grammar Note

You've encountered a new form:

• pilet — ticket
• piletit — ticket, in the singular partitive form

For now, remember:

Kaks piletit, palun.

Meaning: Two tickets, please.

It's a useful expression for everyday travel and events.

13. Listening Practice: Numbers Without Reading

Now let's test your listening.

For a genuine listening challenge, cover the written Estonian while playing the audio.

Listen first.

Then choose the correct number.

Listening 1

kaheksa

A. 6

B. 8

C. 9

Listening 2

neliteist

A. 14

B. 40

C. 4

Listening 3

kolmkümmend kaks

A. 23

B. 32

C. 42

Listening 4

seitsekümmend viis

A. 57

B. 75

C. 70

Listening 5

sada kakskümmend

A. 102

B. 120

C. 200

Answers

1. B — 8
2. A — 14
3. B — 32
4. B — 75
5. B — 120

Challenge

Listen again and write each number using digits.

Try to avoid translating into English first.

The goal is to connect spoken Estonian directly to the number.

14. Reading Practice: Everyday Information

Read the following short examples.

Example A — Transport

What is the bus number?

A. 12

B. 21

C. 31

Example B — Shopping

What is the price?

A. €3

B. €13

C. €30

Example C — Ordering

How many coffees does the customer want?

A. One

B. Two

C. Three

Example D — Tickets

How many tickets?

A. 4

B. 5

C. 6

Answers

1. B — 21
2. A — €3
3. B — Two
4. B — Five

15. Writing Practice

Exercise A — Write the Number

Write each Estonian number as digits.

1. viis
2. kaksteist
3. kaheksateist
4. kolmkümmend
5. nelikümmend seitse
6. üheksakümmend üheksa
7. sada
8. kakssada viiskümmend

Answers

1. 5
2. 12
3. 18
4. 30
5. 47
6. 99
7. 100
8. 250

Exercise B — Write in Estonian

Write these numbers in Estonian.

1. 3
2. 7
3. 11
4. 15
5. 20
6. 34
7. 56
8. 100

Answers

1. kolm
2. seitse
3. üksteist
4. viisteist
5. kakskümmend
6. kolmkümmend neli
7. viiskümmend kuus
8. sada

Exercise C — Complete the Sentences

Use the correct number expression.

1. One coffee, please.
2. Two coffees, please.
3. Three apples, please.
4. Two tickets, please.
5. Five euros.

Suggested Answers

Üks kohv, palun.

Kaks kohvi, palun.

Kolm õuna, palun.

Kaks piletit, palun.

Viis eurot.

16. Speaking Challenge: At a Café

Imagine visiting a café in Tallinn.

You want to order two coffees.

The employee greets you.

Your Task

Respond appropriately.

Then order two coffees.

Finally, thank the employee.

Example

Your Challenge

Repeat the conversation with different quantities:

• One coffee
• Two coffees
• Three coffees

Then try ordering two teas.

Kaks teed, palun.

Don't worry about constructing complex sentences.

The goal is to make the number and requested item clear.

17. Real-World Mission

Your challenge is to recognize and use Estonian numbers in everyday life.

Choose one or more missions.

Mission A — Easy: Recognize Numbers

Look at signs or information around you.

Find:

• A bus or tram number
• A product price
• An apartment or building number

Say each number aloud in Estonian.

Mission B — Intermediate: Shopping

When shopping, try recognizing the price before checking the payment terminal.

If you're unsure, you can use an expression from Module 1:

Palun korrake.

Meaning: Please repeat.

Mission C — Challenge: Order Something

Try ordering a simple quantity in Estonian.

For example:

Kaks kohvi, palun.

Or:

Kolm õuna, palun.

If ordering aloud isn't possible, practice the same sentences with a friend or language partner.

Mission D — Numbers Around You

Choose five numbers you encounter today.

They might be:

• A price
• A bus number
• An apartment number
• A date
• A quantity

Write each one in digits and in Estonian.

Then say it aloud.

18. Lesson Summary

You've learned how Estonian numbers work and how to use them in familiar everyday situations.

Numbers 0–10

Number	Estonian
0	null
1	üks
2	kaks
3	kolm
4	neli
5	viis
6	kuus
7	seitse
8	kaheksa
9	üheksa
10	kümme

Numbers 11–20

Number	Estonian
11	üksteist
12	kaksteist
13	kolmteist
14	neliteist
15	viisteist
16	kuusteist
17	seitseteist
18	kaheksateist
19	üheksateist
20	kakskümmend

Tens and Larger Numbers

Number	Estonian
30	kolmkümmend
40	nelikümmend
50	viiskümmend
60	kuuskümmend
70	seitsekümmend
80	kaheksakümmend
90	üheksakümmend
100	sada
200	kakssada
1000	tuhat

Useful Everyday Expressions

Üks kohv, palun.

One coffee, please.

Kaks kohvi, palun.

Two coffees, please.

Kaks piletit, palun.

Two tickets, please.

Kolm eurot.

Three euros.

Mitu piletit?

How many tickets?

19. A1 Progress Check

This lesson develops the following CEFR A1 foundation skills.

Listening

Recognize familiar numbers and quantities when spoken clearly.

Speaking

Say numbers and use them in simple orders or responses.

Interaction

Request familiar quantities and answer simple questions about how many items are needed.

Reading

Recognize numbers written in Estonian and understand basic numeric information.

Writing

Write common numbers and short quantity expressions.

Grammar

Begin recognizing:

• Compound number formation.
• Common numeral patterns.
• Singular noun forms after üks.
• Singular partitive forms after numbers such as kaks and kolm.
• Simple quantity questions using mitu.

Before Moving On

Check whether you can:

• Count from 0 to 20 in Estonian.
• Recognize tens from 20 to 100.
• Construct simple numbers such as 24 and 57.
• Recognize 100 and 1000.
• Understand simple prices.
• Recognize common bus and tram numbers.
• Order two or three familiar items.
• Read short numerical information.
• Write at least ten common numbers correctly.

You don't need perfect speed yet.

Practice numbers briefly each day, especially when shopping or using public transport.