Quantity words in German help you specify amounts, whether exact numbers, general quantities, or fractions. They can function as articles, pronouns, or adverbs and adjust based on the nouns they modify. Learning these will let you talk about quantities precisely and naturally.
Common Quantity Words
These are the most common German words for expressing quantity. They cover everything from exact numbers to vague amounts.
Other Quantity Words
This section includes some less common but useful quantity words you might encounter in reading or conversation.
Grammar Rules
- Case and Gender Agreement: Quantity words that are used as pronouns or determiners must agree with the noun’s gender, number, and case.
- Genitive Singular for „manch-“, „wenig-“, and „viel-“: When used attributively, these take an -en ending in the genitive singular (e.g., „einer manchen Frau“).
- No Plural for „viel-“ and „wenig-“: These words are generally singular and do not have plural forms.
- Usage of „einige“, „manche“, „mehrere“: These words are plural and mean „some,“ „several,“ or „many“ and are followed by plural nouns.
- Use of „keiner“: This is a negative quantifier meaning „none“ or „no one“ and declines like the indefinite article.
- Use of Partitives: Some quantity words (e.g., „etwas“, „nichts“) are used in a partitive sense and take nouns in the genitive or are followed by „von“ + dative.
How does the negative quantifier "keiner" function in a sentence?
It means "none" or "no one" and declines like an indefinite pronoun.
"keiner" means "none" or "no one" and is declined like indefinite pronouns (ein-). It can stand alone, e.g., "Keiner ist gekommen."
How do quantity words like "einige," "manche," and "mehrere" agree with nouns?
They are plural and must be followed by plural nouns.
"einige," "manche," and "mehrere" are plural quantifiers and must be followed by plural nouns, e.g., "einige Bücher," "manche Tage."
Examples
- Ich habe einige Bücher gelesen. (I have read some books.)* — „einige“ is plural and used with plural noun „Bücher.“
- Weniger Zucker, bitte. (Less sugar, please.)* — „weniger“ is used with an uncountable noun.
- Viele Menschen mögen Schokolade. (Many people like chocolate.)* — „viele“ is plural and used with plural noun „Menschen.“
- Keiner der Gäste ist gekommen. (None of the guests has come.)* — „keiner“ is singular and declines like an indefinite pronoun.
- Ich trinke etwas Wasser. (I’m drinking some water.)* — „etwas“ is used with an uncountable noun.
- Manche Tage sind besonders schön. (Some days are especially beautiful.)* — „manche“ is plural and used with plural noun „Tage.“
- Mehrere Schüler sind krank. (Several students are sick.)* — „mehrere“ is plural and used with plural noun „Schüler.“
- Fast alle sind eingeladen. (Almost all are invited.)* — „fast alle“ means „almost all“ and is plural.
- Etliche Gäste sind schon da. (Quite a few guests are already here.)* — „etliche“ is plural and used with plural noun „Gäste.“
- Ungefähr zehn Leute kommen. (Approximately ten people are coming.)* — „ungefähr“ means „approximately“ and is an adverb.
Summary
- Use plural quantifiers (einige, manche, mehrere, viele, etliche) with plural nouns.
- Use weniger with uncountable nouns (sugar, water, time).
- Use etwas and nichts for some and none with uncountable nouns.
- Use keiner as a negative pronoun meaning „no one“ or „none.“
- Words like ungefähr and fast are adverbs that modify the whole quantity phrase.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
