Hey there, future German pro! 🌟 Are you ready to tackle numbers in German? Knowing how to count from 1 to 100 is a must-have skill for any beginner. Whether you’re shopping, telling time, or just having fun conversations, numbers pop up everywhere! Today, we’ll dive deep into the German numbers from 1 to 100. We’ll break down the rules, give plenty of examples, and even throw in a few dialogues to make sure you’re confident with your counting skills. So, let’s get started! 🚀
1. Why Learn German Numbers?
Learning numbers is one of the most practical and useful skills when starting with any language, and German is no exception! Knowing numbers in German will help you in daily life—whether you’re buying groceries, asking for directions, or simply giving someone your phone number. Plus, it’s a great way to build confidence in speaking and understanding German. So, let’s jump into the numbers game! 🎲
2. The Basics: Numbers 1 to 10
Let’s start small with the first ten numbers in German. They’re the foundation for all the other numbers, so it’s essential to get these down:
| Number | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | eins | [aɪns] |
| 2 | zwei | [tsvaɪ] |
| 3 | drei | [draɪ] |
| 4 | vier | [fiːɐ] |
| 5 | fünf | [fʏnf] |
| 6 | sechs | [zɛks] |
| 7 | sieben | [ˈziːbn̩] |
| 8 | acht | [axt] |
| 9 | neun | [nɔyn] |
| 10 | zehn | [tseːn] |
Issues with the pronunciation? Then check out the German Alphabet here!
Pro Tip: Practice saying these out loud. German pronunciation can be tricky, so listening to native speakers and repeating after them will help!
3. Moving On: Numbers 11 to 19
The numbers from 11 to 19 are unique because they have their own names, just like in English. Here they are:
| Number | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | elf | [ɛlf] |
| 12 | zwölf | [tsvœlf] |
| 13 | dreizehn | [ˈdraɪtseːn] |
| 14 | vierzehn | [ˈfiːɐtseːn] |
| 15 | fünfzehn | [ˈfʏnftseːn] |
| 16 | sechzehn | [ˈzɛkstseːn] |
| 17 | siebzehn | [ˈziːptseːn] |
| 18 | achtzehn | [ˈaxtseːn] |
| 19 | neunzehn | [ˈnɔyntseːn] |
Explanation:
- Notice how from 13 to 19, the numbers are formed by combining the single-digit number (like drei for 3 or vier for 4) with “zehn” (meaning ten).
- This pattern will help you as we move up to larger numbers.
4. Getting to the Tens: 20, 30, 40… Up to 100!
The tens are the building blocks for all the numbers up to 100. Here’s how they look:
| Number | German | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | zwanzig | [ˈtsvantsɪç] |
| 30 | dreißig | [ˈdraɪsɪç] |
| 40 | vierzig | [ˈfiːɐtsɪç] |
| 50 | fünfzig | [ˈfʏnftsɪç] |
| 60 | sechzig | [ˈzɛçtsɪç] |
| 70 | siebzig | [ˈziːptsɪç] |
| 80 | achtzig | [ˈaxtsɪç] |
| 90 | neunzig | [ˈnɔyntsɪç] |
| 100 | hundert | [ˈhʊndɐt] |
Quick Rules for Forming Tens:
- 20 (zwanzig) is the only one that looks a bit different from its base number (zwei).
- For 30 to 90, simply take the root number (like drei for 3 or vier for 4) and add “-zig.”
- The pronunciation changes slightly for six (sechzig) and seven (siebzig), so be mindful of those!
Learn how to ask for someone’s age in lesson 9, or add quantifiers to your sentences instead!
5. Putting It Together: Numbers 21-99 in German
Now, here’s where it gets fun! In German, to form numbers between 21 and 99, you start with the ones place and then add the word “und” (and), followed by the tens place.
Examples:
- 21 – einundzwanzig (one-and-twenty)
- 32 – zweiunddreißig (two-and-thirty)
- 47 – siebenundvierzig (seven-and-forty)
- 58 – achtundfünfzig (eight-and-fifty)
- 99 – neunundneunzig (nine-and-ninety)
So, instead of saying “twenty-one” like in English, Germans say “one-and-twenty” (einundzwanzig).
Practice Tip:
This might seem a bit backward at first, but once you get used to the pattern, it’s easy to build any number up to 99!
6. Common Questions About German Numbers
Let’s answer some of the most common questions learners have about numbers in German:
1. How do you count from 1 to 100 in German?
Start by learning the numbers 1-10 (eins, zwei, drei, etc.), then move to the teens (elf, zwölf, etc.), and tens (zwanzig, dreißig, etc.). Combine them to count to 100!
2. Why is “zwanzig” different from “zwei”?
“Zwei” is the base number for 2, but “zwanzig” (20) has a slightly different form due to historical language changes.
3. How do you pronounce “sechzig” and “siebzig”?
- Sechzig drops the “s” sound from “sechs” and sounds like [zɛçtsɪç].
- Siebzig drops the “en” from “sieben” and sounds like [ziːptsɪç].
4. What is the number 100 in German?
Hundert. Simple, right? 🎉
5. Are there any tricks for remembering German numbers?
Yes! Practice in small chunks, use memory aids like rhymes, or use flashcards to help with memorization.
7. Practical Dialogues with Numbers in German
To help solidify your understanding, here are some dialogues using numbers in German:
Dialogue 1: Shopping at a Market
Person A: Wie viel kostet das?
(How much does that cost?)
Person B: Das kostet fünfzehn Euro.
(That costs fifteen euros.)
Person A: Und wie viel kosten zwei Äpfel?
(And how much do two apples cost?)
Person B: Zwei Euro zwanzig.
(Two euros twenty (cent).)
Learn more about singular and plural – or masculine and feminine in German
Dialogue 2: Asking for a Phone Number
Person A: Was ist deine Telefonnummer?
(What is your phone number?)
Person B: Meine Nummer ist null dreißig – siebenundzwanzig – achtundneunzig – fünfundsechzig.(0 30 27 98 65)
(My number is zero thirty – twenty-seven – ninety-eight – sixty-five.) (You can also say them one by one: Null Drei Null Zwei Sieben Neun Acht Sechs Fünf)
Need a Quick Reminder for the sein-conjugation (to be)? Click Here
Dialogue 3: Telling the Time
Person A: Wie spät ist es?
(What time is it?)
Person B: Es ist vierzehn Uhr dreißig.
(It is fourteen thirty or 2:30 PM.)
We will talk about prices and time in a later chapter. Learn how to talk about Food, Hobbies, or Family in German here!
8. Vocabulary List: Numbers in German
Here’s a handy list of key numbers in German to refer to while you’re learning:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| eins | one |
| zwei | two |
| drei | three |
| vier | four |
| fünf | five |
| zehn | ten |
| elf | eleven |
| zwanzig | twenty |
| dreißig | thirty |
| hundert | hundred |
| usw. | etc. |
9. Tips for Learning Numbers in German Faster!
- Repetition is key – Write them, speak them, repeat them.
- Practice with real-life situations – Use numbers in your daily conversations!
- Use language apps – Apps like Duolingo or Memrise offer fun ways to learn.
- Watch German content – Listening to native speakers will help you catch the nuances of pronunciation.
10. Keep Practicing! You’re on Your Way! 🚀
Mastering numbers in German is an essential part of learning the language. By knowing how to count from 1 to 100, you’ve opened the door to countless conversations and practical uses. Keep practicing these numbers daily, and soon they’ll be second nature!
So go ahead, count on! 🎉
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