Counting people: -jon
Word endings
Counting people: -jon
When you count people, the number takes -jon instead of -ta: dujon (two people).
Which ending
Counting people
-jon
For example
dujon
two people
About this rule
How to tell
If the things you are counting are people, use -jon:
Things and animals keep -ta.
Why it works
-jon is the counter for people, and the respectful one for adults: ekjon doctor (a doctor).
You will hear -ta with people too, especially children, but it is casual: ekta chhele (a boy).
Good to know
In everyday Bangladeshi speech you will often hear duijon (two people) for dujon (two people). It is a little informal, not wrong.
Good to know
Ekjon (one person) on its own means someone:
Examples
Two people will come.
Dujon ashbe.
Word by wordtwo-person will-come
How many of you are there?
Apnara koyjon?
Word by wordyou(all) how-many-person
There are five of us.
Amra panchjon.
Word by wordwe five-person
I have one brother.
Amar ekjon bhai achhe.
Word by wordmy one-person brother is
Three students passed.
Tinjon chhatro pash korechhe.
Word by wordthree-person student pass have-done
Slips to avoid
People are counted with -jon.