Unit 8 - Simple counting and reading the clock

Dè ’n uair a tha e? "What is the time?"

In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions

Let’s look at some examples of how the two counting systems deal with numbers above twenty. Iain will give the number in the older vigesimal system, while Eilidh will give numbers in the decimal system.

Vigesimal systemDecimal systemNumber
aon ar fhichead fichead ’s a h-aon 21
trì ar fhichead fichead ’s a trì 23
deich ar fhicheadtrithead 30
ceithir deug ar fhicheadtrithead ’s a ceithir 34
dà fhicheadceathrad40
dà fhichead ’s a còigceathrad ’s a còig 45
leth-cheudcaogad50
trì ficheadseasgad60
trì fichead ’s a deich seachdad70
ceithir fichead ochdad 80
ceithir fichead ’s a deichnaochad90
ceudceud100
sia ficheadceud is fichead 120
seachd fichead ceud is ceathrad 140
mìlemìle1000

Pick up phrases which will help you tell the time in Gaelic in the next couple of pages.

Back

Next

Skip to top

Copyright © 2015 BBC.The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.