And what they reveal about culture, logic, and how we think...
If you've ever tried to count in a foreign language, you may have noticed something strange — numbers don’t always follow the “normal” logic you're used to. In fact, some languages turn basic counting into mental gymnastics.
Let’s take a look at how different countries and cultures count, and why something as simple as a number can actually be pretty complex.
The Curious Case of French Numbers
Ask any French learner: things go fine until you hit 70. Then it gets wild.
- 70 = soixante-dix (literally “sixty-ten”)
- 80 = quatre-vingts (“four-twenties”)
- 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (“four-twenties-ten”)
That’s right. Instead of having unique words for 70, 80 and 90, French starts doing math. It’s a base-20 system (also called vigesimal), a remnant of older counting traditions from Celtic and Viking influences.
And if you're in Belgium or Switzerland, you might hear more “normal” versions like septante (70), huitante (80), and nonante (90). Yes – even French speakers got tired of the math.
If French numbers make you feel like you’re doing math homework — you’re not alone. But you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Join our online French group classes and get real-time practice with expert teachers who make confusing things make sense.
German: Long, Precise, and Backwards
German numbers aren’t hard, but they can be confusing at first. Why?
- 23 = dreiundzwanzig (“three and twenty”)
- 48 = achtundvierzig (“eight and forty”)
It’s like telling time in reverse. German speakers say the ones digit first, followed by the tens. Logical, once you’re used to it – but definitely a puzzle for beginners.
Danish: A Math Riddle
If you thought French was tricky, meet Danish.
- 50 = halvtreds (short for “half third times twenty” = 2.5 × 20)
- 70 = halvfjerds (“half fourth times twenty” = 3.5 × 20)
- 90 = halvfems (“half fifth times twenty” = 4.5 × 20)
Yes. It’s basically math poetry. Most Danes learn it as kids and don’t question it — but language learners? Confused and terrified.
Whether you're navigating backwards numbers in German or poetic math in Danish, we offer private language classes tailored to your learning goals and schedule.
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- 1-on-1 attention from highly qualified instructors
- Customized lesson plans based on your level and pace
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- Focus on speaking, listening, or specific language skills
Master the quirks of any language with personalized support.
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A cultural hint
Numbers are a perfect example of how language reflects culture, history, and worldview. What seems “weird” is often a result of centuries of evolution — mixing tradition, trade, colonization, and even Viking math.
Understanding how different countries count helps language learners:
- Train their brains to think in new ways
- Learn to spot patterns and systems
- Appreciate the rich logic behind every language, thus achieving language fluency faster
