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Amharic Numbers for Kids: Counting 1 to 10 (Plus Ge'ez Numerals)

2026-10-14 · Fidel Friends

Counting is one of the easiest places to start with a heritage language. Kids already love to count stairs, snacks and toes, so Amharic numbers for kids slot right into things you do every day. This guide covers counting from 1 to 10 in Amharic, a few bigger numbers, the traditional Ge'ez numerals, and some simple games.

Amharic numbers for kids: counting 1 to 10

Here are the numbers with an easy pronunciation guide. Say them slowly at first, then speed up as your child gets comfortable.

A tip for parents: አንድ (1) is pronounced close to the English word "and". Kids usually find that funny, which helps them remember it.

A few bigger numbers

Once 1 to 10 feels easy, add two "big" numbers that kids enjoy saying:

• 20: ሃያ (ha-ya), Ge'ez numeral ፳
• 100: መቶ (me-to), Ge'ez numeral ፻

"መቶ!" is a great word to shout when you've counted a big pile of something, even if you only reached ten.

What are Ge'ez numerals?

Ethiopia has its own traditional number symbols, often called Ge'ez numerals. You'll see them on calendars, in church books, on some clocks and on formal documents. Each one has a small line above and below the symbol: ፩ ፪ ፫ ፬ ፭ ፮ ፯ ፰ ፱ ፲.

Some fun facts kids enjoy:

• There is no zero. The Ge'ez system has separate symbols for 1 to 9, for the tens (10, 20, 30 and so on) and for 100, instead of using a zero to hold places.
• Some look a little like fidel letters. Kids who already know a few letters often enjoy spotting numerals that remind them of letter shapes. The lines above and below are the clue that it's a number.
• Everyday Amharic mostly uses 1, 2, 3. Prices, phone numbers and school maths in Ethiopia usually use the same digits as English. Ge'ez numerals are a cultural bonus, not something your child must master early.

Counting games to play at home

The best way to learn numbers is to count real things, many times, in a playful way. Try these:

1. Count the stairs

Every time you climb stairs together, count in Amharic. It's built-in daily practice, and the rhythm of stepping helps the words stick.

2. Snack counting

Count out raisins, grapes or pieces of ዳቦ (bread): "አንድ, ሁለት, ሶስት". Let your child eat one each time they say a number correctly.

3. Finger rhymes

Hold up fingers one by one while saying the numbers, then count back down from አስር to አንድ. Counting down to "go!" before a race is always a hit.

4. Hide and seek count

Whoever is "it" counts to ten in Amharic. Older kids can count to twenty and finish with "ሃያ!"

5. Match the numeral

Write the Ge'ez numerals ፩ to ፭ on cards and lay out piles of 1 to 5 objects. Your child matches each card to its pile. Add ፮ to ፲ later.

6. Count with family

On a call with grandparents, ask your child to count something for them. It turns practice into a little performance, and relatives love it.

Tips for non-fluent parents

If your own Amharic is rusty, or if you're learning alongside your child, that's completely fine. Learn three numbers this week and three more next week. Children don't need perfect pronunciation from you. They need lots of friendly repetition, and they'll hear native speakers in videos and at community events too. Our post on raising bilingual kids in the diaspora has more ideas for keeping the language going.

Numbers and letters go together

Counting and the fidel support each other. Many number words contain letters your child will meet in our episodes, like the ሀ family in ሁለት. If you're also learning the alphabet, start with the ሀ family or print the free fidel chart.

Coming soon: the Fidel Friends Numbers series

Fikir is getting ready to count! A Fidel Friends Numbers series is on the way, with the same short, sing-along style as our letter episodes. Until then, browse all our series, and try learning the Amharic days of the week next.