Three-Twenty-and-Ten: Unlocking the Surprising Logic of Georgian Numbers

One, two, three, four... it’s the rhythm of our world. We learn to count to ten before we can even tie our shoes. This base-10, or decimal, system feels so fundamental that it’s easy to assume it’s the only logical way to count. But what if it isn't? The beautiful and ancient Georgian language offers a fascinating alternative, a system that asks you to forget what you know and start thinking in twenties.

What is a Vigesimal (Base-20) System?

At its core, a vigesimal system is one based on the number 20, just as our decimal system is based on 10. While it might seem exotic, traces of it exist in other languages, like French, where 80 is quatre-vingts ("four-twenties"), or in Basque and ancient Mayan cultures. The most common theory for its origin is beautifully simple: humans have ten fingers and ten toes. Why stop at the hands?

In a base-20 system, counting proceeds normally until you hit 20, which becomes a new fundamental unit. Instead of thinking of 40 as "forty," you think of it as "two twenties." 75 isn't "seventy-five," but rather "three twenties and fifteen." It’s a simple shift in perspective that completely changes the structure of numbers.

Counting, the Georgian Way

So, how does this work in practice? Let's break down the Georgian system. The numbers from 1 to 10 are unique words, much like in English. From 11 to 19, they follow a "ten-and-X" pattern. For example, 11 is t-ert-meti (a variation of "ten-one-more") and 17 is t-chvid-meti ("ten-seven-more"). So far, so familiar.

The magic happens at 20, which is otsi. This is the new anchor point. Numbers from 21 to 39 are constructed as "twenty-and-X." For instance, 25 is ots-da-khuti (twenty-and-five).

Things get really interesting with the multiples of 20:

• 20: otsi (one twenty)
• 40: ormotsi (two-twenties)
• 60: samotsi (three-twenties)
• 80: otkhmotsi (four-twenties)

To form a number like 93, you don't think in terms of "ninety." You find the highest multiple of 20 below it, which is 80 (otkhmotsi or "four-twenties"). The remainder is 13 (tsamet'i). Combine them, and you get otkhmots-da-tsamet'i—literally, "four-twenty-and-thirteen."

A System with Deep Roots and Modern Quirks

For native Georgian speakers, this system is as natural as base-10 is to an English speaker. However, it reflects a different way of conceptualizing quantity. As one person of Georgian heritage noted, it's a system you grow up with and don't question until you see it from an outsider's perspective.

"For Georgians, it's just how numbers work. It's not something you consciously think about as 'base-20'; it's just... counting. Explaining why 70 is 'three-twenty-and-ten' to a foreigner is often the first time you realize how unique it is."

This system isn't just a quirk; it's a living piece of history embedded in daily life. While many languages have shifted towards a universal base-10 system for commerce and science, Georgian proudly retains its vigesimal roots in its everyday vocabulary, connecting speakers to a long and distinct cultural past.

More Than Just Numbers

The Georgian number system is a powerful reminder that the tools we use to understand the world—even something as basic as numbers—are shaped by culture and history. It challenges our assumptions and opens a window into a different cognitive framework. So the next time you count to ten, remember that just a few thousand miles away, people are counting to twenty, and building their numbers from there in a way that is both logical and beautifully unique.

Sources:

• Georgian/Numbers - Wikibooks
• Vigesimal - Wikipedia
• Numeral systems - Britannica