Talking about Numbers and Money

Numbers

India invented the Number System. 'shunyaa' (zero) was invented by Aryabhatta contributing to the development of modern math. Hindi cardinal numbers are written and spoken differently. You may click here to start our Hindi calculator in a new window. Please remember that although Hindi numerals look different but they reflect the same values as the cardinal numbers in English. By mousing over the calculator you can see how Hindi numbers are written. The table below shows the numbers in English and their pronunciation in Hindi.

Vertically the tables above show progression of units and horizantally the progression of tens. Above one hundred the progression continues as in English, but the conjunction 'and' (aur) is not necessary. Instead of saying 'ek sau aur tees' (one hundred and thirty) you will say 'ek sau tees'.

The breaking of high numerals by commas reflect the three tier system like: 'hazaar' (thousand), 'laakh' (100 thousand = lac), karord (10 million = crore), arab (1000 million), rather than the multiples of thousands used in English. For example the number 35,250,475 will appear as:

3,52,50,475 and will be spoken as 'tteen crore, baavan laakh, pachaas hazaar, char sau pachahttar'.

Money

Indian currency is expressed in rupees called 'rupiyaa'. The currency symbol in Hindi is 'þ' (Rs.). India adopted 'Decimal' system of currency in 1957. There are 100 'nayaa paisaa' (nayaa paisaa) to a rupee. Before 1957 the rupee consisted of 'solah aane' (1/16th of a rupee), one 'aanaa' consisted of 'chaar paise' (1/64 of a rupee) and one paisaa consisted of 'tteen paayee' (1/192 of a rupee). These expressions are still popular in colloquial Hindi. For example:

In the table we have shown every day usages of some number and money-related sentences. For practice please change these sentences by substituting the nouns and numbers taken from the above table.

Indian currency notes are in the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees. Coins start at 10, 20, (not used so much these days) 25, 50 paise and 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees. U.S. dollars are the easiest currency to change in Indian rupees. The current rate of exchange is Rs.48 to a dollar. A growing number of hotels, restaurants and shops accept travelers checks and credit cards like American Express, Visa and Mastercard.

Calendar

Indians follow two official calendars – international Christian calendar, and the traditional Vikram Sa.nvatt (founded by the king Vikramamaditya in the year 57-58 before christ). Indian Hindu calendar is still popular for religious ceremonial occasions. A month is divided in two halves of 15 lunar days. The year begins in the month of 'chaitt' (March-April). The first half of the month begins with the full moon called 'shukl pakshya' (bright half). The second halft begins with the new moon and is called 'krish.n pakshya'. You will learn to talk about Indian calendar and festivals on the next two Example pages.