The numerical system is decimal. All numbers over the tens are expressed in tens.
1. Cardinals.
1. eta, ta, te. 2. e rua, ro. 3. e olu. 4. e fai. 5. e lima. 6. e ono. 7. e qalu. 8. e fiu. 9. e siqa. 10. e tangafulu, aqala.
In numbers other than eta the initial e is omitted in quick counting. In composition one is ta, two is ro, te generally means only: rua is reduplicated into ruarua, tau ruarua equidistant.
The prefix too forms distributives: too ro doo two things at a time. Nima is used as well as lima for five. Though qalu eight, appears in the translations as used of an indefinite number it is doubtful whether such use is correct. Tangafulu is the tenth of a series; aqala is used for ten denoting a unit, aqala fono a full ten.
To express units above ten mana is employed: aqala mana fai fourteen.
One hundred is tangalau: tangale doo one hundred things. The sum above the hundred is expressed by mana: tangalau fai aqala mana fai one hundred and forty-four. One thousand is too.
2. Ordinals.
The cardinals with a substantival ending na form ordinals.
First, etana. Fourth, faina. Seventh, fiuna.
Second, ruana. Fifth, limana. Eighth, qaluna.
Third, oluna. Sixth, onona. Ninth, siqana.