Learn numbers in Bukusu. Watch the video and get to know how to count 1-10 in Lubukusu. The accompanying text supplies examples that highlight common rules of language when counting in Bukusu language.
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Numbers in Bukusu, counting 1-10
When counting people, the prefix Ba suffices. As such, one says bandu babili, meaning two people. Or bandu bataru, meaning three people. You do not, for example, say bandu chitaru.
When counting inanimate things or things devoid of personhood, the prefix Chi suffices. As such, one says chisilingi chitaru, meaning three shillings. Or chinjala chibili, meaning two fingers.
As you may have noticed, the spelling for some numbers in Bukusu is letter for letter the same as it’s Kiswahili equivalent. As a matter of fact, being fluent in Kiswahili proves to be an ideal place to be when learning to speak any of the Bantu languages of the Luhya.
This is because there are lots of similarity and ‘cross pollination’ in the lexicon. Consider this article on the Luhya-Lingala connection where explored tens of Lingala words that are similar to words from different dialects of the Luhya.
Beyond the first ten numbers, counting follows the pattern in Swahili/English. For example, twenty one is shurinina mocha. Shurini meaning twenty and mocha meaning one. Or Kumi na tisaa meaning nineteen.
| Number | Number in Bukusu |
|---|---|
| 20 | Shurini |
| 30 | Salasini |
| 40 | Aropaini |
| 50 | Hamsini |
| 60 | Stini |
| 70 | Sapini |
| 80 | Tamanini |
| 1000 | Elufu |
Learn Bukusu
Bukusu language or Lubukusu is the tongue of Babukusu, the largest of the 18 houses of mulembe. Learn how to speak Bukusu language through our free lessons in Bukusu language; our stories on Bukusu culture that harness the richness of Lubukusu in their narrative; our continuous search for the meaning of different Bukusu proverbs and sayings; and if your Lubukusu is already good enough, sharpen and challenge yourself with our new blog sibukusu that covers everything Bukusu in the purest Lubukusu.
Get started with our mega post: 130+ common Bukusu words and phrases their meaning, translation and pronunciation.
