Numbers
How to Say “one thousand” in Macedonian
What Does “илјада” Mean?
The Macedonian expression for “one thousand” is илјада (Latin: iljada). It belongs to the category of Macedonian numbers from zero to one thousand. Spoken by roughly 1.5 million people, mainly in North Macedonia, Macedonian is a South Slavic language with a 31-letter Cyrillic alphabet. Its spelling is completely phonetic: each letter always represents the same sound, so reading and pronunciation come quickly once you know the alphabet.
How to Pronounce илјада
илјада is pronounced “iljada” — the transliteration maps each Cyrillic letter to a predictable Latin equivalent, with no silent letters or irregular spellings to watch out for. Stress in Macedonian generally falls on the third-to-last syllable in longer words, though for shorter words and phrases it often falls on the first syllable. Tap “Play Audio” above to listen to the pronunciation.
When to Use “илјада”
Numbers are fundamental to daily life in any language. In Macedonian, numbers follow consistent patterns — once you learn the base words for units and tens, compound numbers (like дваесет и еден) are straightforward to construct. Numbers 0–20 have recorded audio; higher numbers will use text-to-speech.
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Grammar Notes
Key grammar elements in this expression: number. Understanding these building blocks helps you form your own Macedonian sentences. The OpaLingo Journey covers these grammar concepts in detail with interactive exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "one thousand" in Macedonian?
"one thousand" in Macedonian is илјада. It is pronounced "iljada" — Macedonian is a phonetic language so every letter maps to a consistent sound.
How do you pronounce илјада?
илјада is pronounced "iljada". Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet but is fully phonetic — once you know the letters, you can pronounce any word correctly. Tap the “Play Audio” button on this page to hear it pronounced.
Is "one thousand" formal or informal in Macedonian?
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Related Macedonian Numbers Words
Practice “илјада” with Interactive Exercises
OpaLingo's free interactive lessons include native Macedonian audio, flashcards, and quizzes to help you remember Macedonian numbers from zero to one thousand for good. No account required — start learning immediately.