Counting from 1 to 10 in Swahili: moja (1), mbili (2), tatu (3), nne (4), tano (5), sita (6), saba (7), nane (8), tisa (9), kumi (10).
Once you know 1–10, you can count to 100 by following one simple pattern. Tap any speaker to hear the pronunciation.
Reviewed by Native Swahili speakers from Tanzania
Reviewed by our Tanzania-based editorial team · Updated April 17, 2026
| Number | Swahili |
|---|---|
| 10 | kumi |
| 20 | ishirini |
| 30 | thelathini |
| 40 | arobaini |
| 50 | hamsini |
| 60 | sitini |
| 70 | sabini |
| 80 | themanini |
| 90 | tisini |
| 100 | mia |
For numbers in between, say the ten, then na, then the unit: 35 is thelathini na tano.
Type any number from 1 to 1,000,000.
235 in Swahili is
mia mbili thelathini na tano
Say it: MEE-ah m-BEE-lee theh-lah-THEE-nee nah TAH-noh
How it's built
These are the counting forms. When you count things, some numbers change to match the word — watoto wawili (two children).
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Listen & repeat
Press play to hear moja to kumi read aloud — then say each number back.
First button: 1–10 · Second button: 11–20
1
Moja
2
Mbili
3
Tatu
4
Nne
5
Tano
6
Sita
7
Saba
8
Nane
9
Tisa
10
Kumi
Free printable: Swahili numbers 1–10 poster
Moja to kumi with counting dots and how to say each one. Pop it on the fridge and count together.
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Numbers 11–19 follow one rule: kumi na (ten and) + the unit.
20
Ishirini
30
Thelathini
40
Arobaini
50
Hamsini
60
Sitini
70
Sabini
80
Themanini
90
Tisini
100
Mia moja
1000
Elfu moja
Pattern: combine a ten with a unit using na (and). For example, 42 is arobaini na mbili (forty and two), and 99 is tisini na tisa.
📖 Read the full guide: Swahili numbers 1–100Which numbers are Bantu and which came from Arabic, Swahili time, and five counting games.Read →Every vowel is its own sound, and the stress falls on the second-to-last syllable.
| Number | Swahili | Say it | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moja | MO-jah | Soft j, as in "jar". |
| 2 | Mbili | m-BEE-lee | Start with a short hum on the m. |
| 3 | Tatu | TAH-too | Both syllables short and crisp. |
| 4 | Nne | N-neh | Hold the first n — there's no vowel between the two n's. |
| 5 | Tano | TAH-no | |
| 6 | Sita | SEE-tah | |
| 7 | Saba | SAH-bah | |
| 8 | Nane | NAH-neh | Two clear syllables — don't mix it up with nne (4). |
| 9 | Tisa | TEE-sah | |
| 10 | Kumi | KOO-mee |
Songs are the quickest way to make numbers stick. No musical skill needed.
Moja, mbili, tatu, nne / Moja, mbili, tatu, nne
Tano, sita, saba / Tano, sita, saba
Nane, tisa, kumi / Nane, tisa, kumi
Kumi, kumi! / Kumi, kumi!
Moja, mbili, tatu, nne —
Tano, sita, saba, nane —
Tisa, kumi — vijana wote!
…Tisa, kumi — tukae pamoja!
…nine, ten, all you young ones! Let's stay together!
Moja — kidole kimoja (one finger)
Mbili — vidole viwili (two fingers)
Tatu — vidole vitatu (three fingers)
Nne — vidole vinne (four fingers)
…keep going to kumi!
"Nipe moja" — give me one
"Nipe mbili" — give me two
"Nipe tatu" — give me three
"Nipe kumi!" — the basket is full!
| English | Swahili | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| I am [X] years old | Nina miaka [X] | Introducing yourself |
| Give me three | Nipe tatu | Asking for items |
| Five shillings | Shilingi tano | Market / play shopping |
| How many? | Ngapi? | Asking quantity |
| How many children? | Watoto wangapi? | Counting people |
| How many fingers? | Vidole vingapi? | Finger play |
| Count! | Hesabu! | Instruction to count |
Ages 2–3
Moja to tano (1–5) with finger play. Recognition, not perfection.
Ages 3–4
Moja to kumi (1–10). Start asking "ngapi?" in daily life.
Ages 4–5
11–19 with the "kumi na" rule. Try market role-play.
Ages 5–6
Count to ishirini (20) and say their age: "Nina miaka tano."
Ages 6–8
The tens up to mia (100), and numbers like ishirini na tano (25).
1 to 10 in Swahili is: moja (1), mbili (2), tatu (3), nne (4), tano (5), sita (6), saba (7), nane (8), tisa (9), kumi (10).
The number 4 in Swahili is nne.
The number 5 in Swahili is tano.
The number 9 in Swahili is tisa.
Numbers 11–19 use the pattern 'kumi na' (ten and) plus the unit: kumi na moja (11), kumi na mbili (12), up to kumi na tisa (19). Twenty is its own word, ishirini.
Learn 1–10, then the tens: ishirini (20), thelathini (30), arobaini (40), hamsini (50), sitini (60), sabini (70), themanini (80), tisini (90), mia moja (100). Combine with 'na' — e.g. 42 is arobaini na mbili.
Yes. The number words are the same across Swahili-speaking countries, including Kenya and Tanzania.
Ngapi? It changes to match what you're counting: Watoto wangapi? (How many children?), Vidole vingapi? (How many fingers?).
From about age 2–3, start with moja to tano (1–5) using finger play. Most children can count to kumi (10) by 4, and build numbers to 20 with the 'kumi na' rule by 5–6.
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