20 min•Numbers 11-99

Tens and Compounds (20-99)

Learning Objective

Master forming numbers 20-99 using makumi (tens) pattern

Theory

Numbers 20-99 use "makumi" (tens) followed by "gabiri" (two), "gashatu" (three), etc. for multiples of 10, then "na" + unit for compound numbers.

Formula:

makumi ga[number] (+ na + [higuma-mweenda]) = 20-99

Key Rules:

  • Use "makumi ga-" prefix with the number word for multiples of 10
  • For compound numbers, add "na" + unit number
  • Example: 23 = makumi gabiri na bushatu (tens two and three)

Examples:

makumi gabiri20

tens two

makumi gabiri na higuma21

tens two and one

makumi gabiri na bushatu23

tens two and three

makumi gashatu30

tens three

makumi gana40

tens four

makumi gatanu50

tens five

makumi gatanu na bulinda57

tens five and seven

makumi genda90

tens nine

makumi genda na mweenda99

tens nine and nine

Practice Time!

Now that you've learned the theory, it's time to practice what you've learned using our interactive tools.

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Kifuliiru Numbers · Numbers 11-99

Tens and Compounds (20-99)

Master forming numbers 20-99 using makumi (tens) pattern

Lesson overview

Numbers 20-99 use "makumi" (tens) followed by "gabiri" (two), "gashatu" (three), etc. for multiples of 10, then "na" + unit for compound numbers.

makumi ga[number] (+ na + [higuma-mweenda]) = 20-99

Key rules

  • Use "makumi ga-" prefix with the number word for multiples of 10
  • For compound numbers, add "na" + unit number
  • Example: 23 = makumi gabiri na bushatu (tens two and three)

Kifuliiru examples with translations

makumi gabiri
20
tens two
makumi gabiri na higuma
21
tens two and one
makumi gabiri na bushatu
23
tens two and three
makumi gashatu
30
tens three
makumi gana
40
tens four
makumi gatanu
50
tens five
makumi gatanu na bulinda
57
tens five and seven
makumi genda
90
tens nine
makumi genda na mweenda
99
tens nine and nine