So you want to count in Tongan! The basic level of counting in Tongan is easier then you think. All you have to do is learn the numbers 0-10 then you can count from 1-99. Follow these simple rules.
Counting 1-99 in Tongan
- numbers 0-9 noa, taha, ua, tolu, fā, nima, ono, fitu, valu, hiva
- the number for 10 is hongofulu (hoh-ngoh-foo-loo)
- the number for 100 is teau (teh-ah-oo)
- every other number is literally the words 0-9 combined: twenty becomes two zero – ua noa
- three exceptions to the rule 22, 55 and 99 words shortened to uo ua, nime nima, hive hiva
Example: How do you say the number …. in Tongan?
- 19 (nineteen) – taha hiva
- 44 (fourty four) – fā fā
- 99 (ninety nine) – hive hiva
- 87 (eighty seven) – valu fitu
Test: Can you saying the following numbers in Tongan
- 15 (fifthteen)
- 33 (thirtythree)
- 50 (fifty)
- 11 (eleven)
Let's learn Tongan 