Learn Bengali: Numbers 1–20

Mastering numbers is a vital step in learning Bengali, as they are essential for everything from telling time and making purchases to sharing your age. This lesson introduces you to the cardinal numbers from zero to twenty, providing the foundational building blocks you need for daily communication. You will start with the basics like Shunno (Zero) and Ek (One), moving through the primary digits up to Dosh (Ten). Many of these sounds may feel somewhat familiar or intuitive if you have studied other Indo-European languages, such as Tin (Three), Chār (Four), or Sāt (Seven).

As you progress into the teens, you will notice a distinct linguistic pattern that aids in memorization. Most numbers from eleven to eighteen conclude with an "o" vowel sound, often appearing as a "ro" suffix in transliteration. For instance, eleven is Egāro and twelve is Bāro. This rhythmic consistency continues through words like Sotero (Seventeen) and Āthāro (Eighteen) before shifting at the end of the sequence with Unish (Nineteen) and Bish (Twenty). Paying close attention to specific pronunciation details, such as the nasalized vowel in Pāñch (Five) or the distinct double consonant sound in Chouddo (Fourteen), will help you gain confidence as you begin to quantify the world around you in Bengali. Understanding these first twenty terms allows you to navigate basic transactions and describe quantities with ease.