Phone numbers in German use the same digits as in English, but it’s important to understand how to say numbers, the word for “phone number” itself, and useful phrases for asking and giving numbers correctly. German phone numbers also often include area codes in parentheses.
Digits
German digits are the building blocks for any number, including phone numbers.
German Digits
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Null | Zero |
| Eins | One |
| Zwei | Two |
| Drei | Three |
| Vier | Four |
| Fünf | Five |
| Sechs | Six |
| Sieben | Seven |
| Acht | Eight |
| Neun | Nine |
Phone Number Vocabulary
These are the key nouns and verbs related to phone numbers in German.
Common Phone Number Words
| German | English |
|---|---|
| die Telefonnummer | phone number |
| die Vorwahl | area code |
| die Handynummer | mobile number |
| anrufen | to call |
| jemanden erreichen | to reach someone |
| zurückrufen | to call back |
| wählen | to dial |
| Besetztzeichen | busy signal |
| Voicemail | voicemail |
| Nachricht hinterlassen | to leave a message |
Asking for Phone Numbers
Here are common questions and phrases for asking someone’s phone number in German.
How to Ask for a Phone Number
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wie ist deine Telefonnummer? | What is your phone number? |
| Kann ich deine Nummer haben? | Can I have your number? |
| Hast du meine Nummer? | Do you have my number? |
| Wie lautet Ihre Telefonnummer? | What is your phone number? (formal) |
| Darf ich Ihre Nummer haben? | May I have your number? (formal) |
| Kann ich Sie anrufen? | Can I call you? |
| Auf welchem Handy bist du erreichbar? | On which mobile can I reach you? |
| Kannst du mir deine Handynummer geben? | Can you give me your mobile number? |
| Rufst du mich an? | Will you call me? |
| Wie ist die Vorwahl von Berlin? | What is the area code for Berlin? |
How do you say 'May I have your number?' formally in German?
Darf ich Ihre Nummer haben?
'Darf ich Ihre Nummer haben?' is the formal way to ask 'May I have your number?' in German.
Giving Phone Numbers
These are simple sentences for telling someone your phone number in German.
How to Give a Phone Number
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Meine Telefonnummer ist... | My phone number is... |
| Du kannst mich unter ... erreichen. | You can reach me at ... |
| Meine Handynummer ist ... | My mobile number is ... |
| Die Vorwahl ist 030. | The area code is 030. |
| Ruf mich an unter ... | Call me at ... |
| Wähle ... | Dial ... |
| Ich rufe dich später an. | I’ll call you later. |
| Lass uns Nummern austauschen. | Let’s exchange numbers. |
| Ich habe deine Nummer gespeichert. | I saved your number. |
| Schick mir eine SMS. | Send me a text. |
Sample Phone Numbers
Here are examples of how German phone numbers might appear, with explanations.
German Phone Number Examples
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 1234567 | Berlin area code + number |
| 98765432 | Mobile number example |
| +49 30 | International format (+49 is Germany) |
| 123456 | Toll-free number |
| 7654321 | Cologne area code + number |
| 23456789 | Mobile number example |
| 99887766 | Munich area code + number |
| 30 1234567 | International format with |
| 5001234 | Service number |
| 11223344 | Mobile number example |
Which example is a toll-free number in Germany?
0800 123456
Toll-free numbers in Germany usually start with 0800, like '0800 123456'.
Important Grammar and Usage Notes
Using “eins” vs. “ein”
- When saying the digit 1 in a phone number, use eins (e.g., “... eins, zwei, drei ...”), not ein.
- Use ein only in counting or grammatical contexts (e.g., “ein Apfel” = one apple).
Separating Numbers
- Germans usually say phone numbers digit by digit (e.g., “null drei null” for 030).
- Sometimes numbers are grouped for ease (e.g., “zweiundzwanzig” for 22), but digit-by-digit is most common.
Area Codes (Vorwahl)
- Area codes start with 0 and are called Vorwahl.
- When calling from abroad, the leading 0 is dropped (e.g., 030 becomes +49 30).
Mobile Numbers
- Mobile numbers often start with 015, 016, 017.
- They are written without spaces after the initial “0” but may be split for readability.
Common Phrases to Practice
Useful Sentences for Phone Conversations
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich gebe dir meine Nummer. | I’ll give you my number. |
| Kannst du mich zurückrufen? | Can you call me back? |
| Ich bin telefonisch erreichbar. | I’m reachable by phone. |
| Die Leitung ist besetzt. | The line is busy. |
| Ich hinterlasse eine Nachricht. | I’ll leave a message. |
| Ruf mich morgen an. | Call me tomorrow. |
| Wir schreiben dann per SMS. | We’ll text each other. |
| Die Verbindung war schlecht. | The connection was bad. |
| Kannst du lauter sprechen? | Can you speak louder? |
| Danke fürs Nummern-Austauschen! | Thanks for exchanging numbers! |
Understanding these rules and practicing these phrases will help you confidently handle phone numbers and phone conversations in German.
Translate this German sentence: 'Kannst du mich zurückrufen?'
Can you call me back?
'Kannst du mich zurückrufen?' means 'Can you call me back?'. It’s a polite request for a return call.
Flashcards (1 of 60)
- English: Zero
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
