107
The numeral
Textbook: pp. 159–160
GoalKnow the meaning and questions of the numeral.
New words
numeral · sonhow much? · qancha?how many? · necha?
Explanation
Words that name the number or order of things and answer qancha? (how much?) necha? (how many?) nechanchi? (which in order?) are numerals. In besh kitob (five books), yigirma bola (twenty children) and uchinchi qavat (third floor), besh, yigirma and uchinchi are numerals. A numeral usually attaches to a noun and defines its quantity or order. In writing, numerals are given in words or digits: besh or 5. A noun after a numeral takes no plural suffix: besh kitob, not “besh kitoblar”. A numeral may be substantivized and take noun suffixes: beshni, beshga.
Worked examples
Twenty-five children study in our class.
He lives on the third floor.
Class activity
“Let’s count”: count things in class, answer nechta? and make sentences.
Practice
1
Which questions does a numeral answer?
Qancha? necha? nechanchi?
2
Find the numerals: yigirma bola, katta uy, uchinchi qavat.
Yigirma, uchinchi.
3
Correct: besh kitoblar.
Besh kitob: no plural suffix after a numeral.
4
Why is katta an adjective, not a numeral?
Because it names an attribute, not a number, and answers qanday?.