German numbers are essential for everyday communication, spanning from basic digits to large-scale numerals. They follow unique rules for formation and usage, making them a key part of German vocabulary.
- German numbers cover everything from 0 to billions.
- They are used in dates, prices, phone numbers, and more.
- Understanding their structure helps in mastering other vocab areas.
Contents
1. Numbers 1–10
1–10: 'eins', 'zwei', 'drei', ..., 'zehn'. 'elf' is 11, so it's not in 1–10.
The numbers 1–10 in German are: eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn.
They are foundational and often appear in core language learning.
- 1–10: eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn
- Used in counting, dates, and basic math
'fünf' is the German word for five.
Numbers 1–10 are eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn.
2. Numbers 11–20
Numbers 11–20 in German have unique forms: elf, zwölf, dreizehn, ..., neunzehn, zwanzig.
They bridge basic counting and more complex number construction.
- 11–20: elf, zwölf, dreizehn, vierzehn, fünfzehn, sechzehn, siebzehn, achtzehn, neunzehn, zwanzig
- After 20, numbers combine units and tens in a special order
'13' in German is 'dreizehn'.
11–20 includes elf, zwölf, ..., neunzehn, zwanzig. 'zwanzig' is 20.
3. Tens (20–90)
Tens 20–90: zwanzig, dreißig, vierzig, fünfzig, sechzig, siebzig, achtzig, neunzig.
The tens from 20 to 90 are: zwanzig, dreißig, vierzig, fünfzig, sechzig, siebzig, achtzig, neunzig.
Between these, units are attached in a "reverse" order (e.g., 21 = einundzwanzig).
- 20–90: zwanzig, dreißig, vierzig, fünfzig, sechzig, siebzig, achtzig, neunzig
- Compound numbers invert unit and ten (e.g., 21 = einundzwanzig)
'dreißig' means 30.
German tens include zwanzig, dreißig, siebzig...
4. One Hundred!
'100' is 'einhundert'.
"One hundred" in German is einhundert. For multiples, just prefix the number (e.g., 200 = zweihundert).
- 100 = einhundert
- Multiples: 200 = zweihundert, 300 = dreihundert, etc.
'einhundert' and 'zweihundert' are correct. 'hundertz' and 'hundertzig' are not.
5. Thousands, Millions, Billions
thousand = tausend, million = Million, billion = Milliarde
- 1,000 = tausend
- 1,000,000 = eine Million (plural Millionen)
- 1,000,000,000 = eine Milliarde (plural Milliarden)
'Million' is the German word for million.
Correct: tausend, Million, Milliarde. 'Billion' means trillion in English.
German numbers are more than just digits; they reveal the language's logic and culture.
- From 1 to 10, numbers are unique and must be memorized.
- 11–20 introduce new forms that lead into systematic rules for higher numbers.
- Tens, hundreds, and large numbers follow patterns that connect with other German words.
The numbers 1 to 10 in German are eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn.
From 11 to 20, German numbers are: elf, zwölf, dreizehn, vierzehn, fünfzehn, sechzehn, siebzehn, achtzehn, neunzehn, zwanzig.
The tens are: dreißig, vierzig, fünfzig, sechzig, siebzig, achtzig, neunzig.
'100' is 'einhundert' in German.
Thousand, million, and billion are tausend, Million, and Milliarde.