German large numbers cover the vocabulary and rules for expressing quantities in the thousands, millions, billions, and beyond. This section explains the key terms and patterns, helping you write, say, and understand big numbers in German.
Thousands and Beyond
In German, large numbers are formed by combining smaller number words. The word for thousand is tausend, and it behaves like a noun but is not capitalized when used as part of a number (e.g., zweitausend = 2000). Unlike English, German numbers are written as one word without spaces or commas.
For numbers above a thousand, simply add the smaller number in front of tausend (e.g., dreitausend = 3000, eintausendzweihundert = 1200).
Is 'tausend' capitalized when used in numbers like 'zweitausend'?
No, it is not capitalized.
'tausend' is not capitalized in compound numbers (e.g., 'zweitausend'), but it is capitalized if it stands alone as a noun.
Millions and Billions
The words for million and billion in German are Million and Milliarde, respectively. Unlike tausend, these are actual nouns and must be capitalized. They also take plural -en (e.g., Millionen, Milliarden) and require the article eine for one (e.g., eine Million = 1 million).
Billions in German follow the long scale, so:
- eine Milliarde = one billion (1,000,000,000)
- eine Billion = one trillion (1,000,000,000,000)
How do Million and Milliarde differ from tausend in terms of grammar?
They are nouns, capitalized, and take plural -en endings.
'Million' and 'Milliarde' are nouns—always capitalized, take plural form '-en', and use articles (e.g., 'eine Million').
What is the German word for 'one billion'?
eine Milliarde
'Milliarde' means one billion in German and uses the feminine article 'eine'.
Summary of Key Large Number Words
| Number | German Singular | German Plural | English Example | German Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ,000 | tausend | (no plural) | one thousand | tausend |
| ,000 | eintausend | (no plural) | one thousand | eintausend |
| ,000,000 | eine Million | Millionen | one million | eine Million |
| ,000,000,000 | eine Milliarde | Milliarden | one billion | eine Milliarde |
| ,000,000,000,000 | eine Billion | Billionen | one trillion | eine Billion |
Examples
Here are some examples of large numbers in German with English translations:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| zweitausendvierhundertfünfzig | two thousand four hundred fifty (2,450) |
| fünfunddreißigtausend | thirty-five thousand (35,000) |
| eine Million | one million (1,000,000) |
| zwei Millionen dreihunderttausend | two million three hundred thousand (2,300,000) |
| eine Milliarde | one billion (1,000,000,000) |
| eine Million zweihunderttausend | one million two hundred thousand (1,200,000) |
| drei Milliarden fünfhundert Millionen | three billion five hundred million (3,500,000,000) |
Usage Tips
- German large numbers are written as one word (e.g., zweitausendfünfhundert).
- Use und (and) between units and tens in the smaller part (e.g., fünfundzwanzig = 25), but not between thousands and hundreds.
- Million, Milliarde, and Billion are nouns and must be capitalized, with plural -en.
- Always use the appropriate article for singular: eine Million, eine Milliarde.
Flashcards (1 of 12)
- Number: 1,000
- English Example: one thousand
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
