One of the very first things I tell my students to learn when they arrive in Tórshavn is numbers.

Whether you are asking for the price of a sweater, checking the bus schedule to Klaksvík, or just buying a hot dog, you need to know your numbers.

Is it difficult to learn numbers in Faroese?

Well, yes and no.

If you know other Scandinavian languages, specifically Danish, you might recognize some of the systems used here. However, Faroese has its own unique twist.

The most important thing to know is that we actually have two ways of counting for higher numbers, and the numbers 1, 2, and 3 change depending on what you are talking about (gender).

But don’t panic!

I am going to break this down simply so you can start using them today.

The basic numbers (0-10)

Let’s start with the absolute basics. These are the building blocks for all the bigger numbers.

You will notice that they look somewhat similar to English and German numbers.

Note: The numbers 1, 2, and 3 listed above are in the masculine form. I will explain why this matters in the gender section below. For now, just memorize these forms as your base.

The teens (11-19)

Once you get past ten, the pattern is quite easy to follow.

Just like in English we add “-teen” to the end of a number, in Faroese we generally add “-tan”.

However, 11 and 12 are unique words, just like “eleven” and “twelve” are in English.

The tens (20-100) and the two counting systems

This is where things get interesting (and a little bit political!).

In the Faroe Islands, we have two ways to say numbers over 20.

1. The “Old” System (Vigesimal): This is based on the number 20 (scores), very similar to Danish numbers. For example, 50 is strictly “half-third-times-twenty.”
2. The “New” System (Decimal): This is based on tens, similar to English, Icelandic, or Swedish.

Which one should you learn?

You should learn the New System to speak, but learn to recognize the Old System.

Most young people and schools use the New System because it is much more logical. However, older generations and some traditionalists still use the Old System. You will hear both in the streets of Tórshavn.

Here is a comparison:

Wait, what about 50?

You will notice in the table above that for 50, both the new and old systems use hálvtrýss. Even in the decimal system, we haven’t quite agreed on a “fifty” word yet, so everyone says hálvtrýss.

How to say compound numbers (like 21, 35, 99)

In English, we say “Twenty-one” (Tens then Units). In Faroese, we say “One and twenty” (Units then Tens).

We use the word og (and) to connect them.

Examples:

• 21: Ein og tjúgu (One and twenty)
• 35: Fimm og tretivu (Five and thirty)
• 99: Níggju og níti (Nine and ninety)

Gender rules: Why 1, 2, and 3 change form

If you have tried to learn Faroese nouns](/faroese-noun-cases-and-gender/), you know that words are either Masculine, Feminine, or Neuter.

This affects numbers, too!

The numbers 1, 2, and 3 must change their spelling and pronunciation to match the thing you are counting. Numbers 4 and up do not change.

Here is the cheat sheet for the Nominative case (the subject of the sentence):

This is often the hardest part for beginners.

If you are just counting “one, two, three” without any objects, you usually use the masculine forms (ein, tveir, tríggir).

But if you are counting specific items, you must be careful.

In this example:

• Synir (sons) is masculine, so we use tveir.
• Døtur (daughters) is feminine, so we use tríggjar.

Ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Ordinal numbers are used for dates, floor levels in a building, or ranking things.

• 1st: fyrsti
• 2nd: annar
• 3rd triðji
• 4th: fjórði
• 5th: fimti
• 6th: sætti
• 7th: sjeyndi
• 8th: áttandi
• 9th: níggjundi
• 10th: tíggjundi

When we talk about dates in Faroese, we always use these ordinal numbers.

Common phrases using numbers

Now that you have the vocabulary, here are some practical ways to use numbers in real life.

Asking for the price

Asking the time

Faroese usually uses the 24-hour clock for schedules, but the 12-hour clock for casual conversation.

Note: When telling time for the hour, we use the Neuter form of the number (tvey), because the word “klokkan” implies a neutral count in this specific context.

Summary

Learning Faroese numbers takes a little bit of practice, especially getting used to the “One and Twenty” word order and the gender changes for small numbers.

My top tips for you:

• Focus on the New System (decimal) first. It is understood by everyone.
• Practice the gender differences for 1, 2, and 3. Make flashcards with nouns of different genders (e.g., tveir dogs, tvær cats, tvey houses).
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Faroese people are very happy that you are trying to learn their language.

Góða eydnu! (Good luck!)