Counting in Cebuano: two number systems, one simple rule
Why locals say “duha ka mangga” but “bente pesos” — and how to never mix them up.
Cebuano runs on two number systems side by side: the native Visayan numbers and a Spanish set inherited from three centuries of colonial trade. Locals switch between them without thinking, but the rule is refreshingly simple: native numbers for counting things (mostly one to ten); Spanish numbers for money, time, age, and dates.
usaone
duhatwo
tulothree
upatfour
limafive
unomsix
pitoseven
waloeight
siyamnine
napuloten
Native numbers above ten exist (napulog usa = 11) but you’ll rarely hear them in daily life — Spanish takes over.
onse, dose, trese…11, 12, 13…
bente20
bente-singko25
trenta30
kwarenta40
singkwenta50
sesenta60
setenta70
otsenta80
nobenta90
syen / usa ka gatos100
mil / usa ka libo1,000
duha ka buok manggatwo mangoes (native numbers + the counter “ka buok”)
Tagai ko og tulo ka pandesalGive me three pandesal
Bente pesos raJust twenty pesos (money = Spanish numbers)
Tagpila ni? — Tag-singkwentaHow much each? — Fifty each
alas dos sa hapontwo in the afternoon (time = Spanish)
alas syete y medyaseven thirty
Bente-singko anyos koI'm 25 years old (age = Spanish)
una, ikaduha, ikatulofirst, second, third (ordinals use ika- + native)
When counting objects, Cebuano links the number to the noun with ka (often ka buok, “pieces”): duha ka bata — two children; lima ka buok itlog — five eggs. Ask prices with Pila? (how much/many) or Tagpila? (how much each) — then be ready for a Spanish number back. Market vendors are the best free number tutors in the Philippines.
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