Chapter 5: Numbers in German
Understanding numbers is fundamental in any language, and German is no different. This chapter of our e-book, Complete Basic German Course, is dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of numbers in German. Let's start with the basics, covering the numbers from 0 to 10, and gradually move up to larger numbers, until we reach the thousands.
Numbers from 0 to 10
In German, the numbers from 0 to 10 are: null (0), eins (1), zwei (2), drei (3), vier (4), fünf (5), sechs (6), sieben (7), acht (8), neun (9), und zehn (10). These are the basic building blocks for learning numbers in German and will be used to form more complex numbers.
Numbers from 11 to 19
The numbers 11 to 19 in German follow a similar pattern to English, where the base number is followed by 'zehn'. For example, elf (11) and zwölf (12) are exceptions, but from 13 onwards, the pattern resumes: dreizehn (13), vierzehn (14), fünfzehn (15), sechzehn (16), siebzehn (17) , achtzehn (18) and neunzehn (19).
Numbers from 20 to 99
The numbers 20 to 99 in German are formed by combining the tens number and the ones number, separated by 'und' (e). For example, 21 would be 'einundzwanzig' (literally, one and twenty). The tens numbers are: zwanzig (20), dreißig (30), vierzig (40), fünfzig (50), sechzig (60), siebzig (70), achtzig (80), und neunzig (90).
Numbers from 100 to 999
The numbers 100 to 999 in German also follow a logical structure. One hundred is 'hundert' and the numbers from 101 to 999 are formed by combining the hundreds number, 'hundert', and the remaining number. For example, 123 would be 'einhundertdreiundzwanzig' (literally, one hundred three and twenty).
Numbers from 1000 to 9999
Finally, the numbers 1000 to 9999 in German are formed similarly to the numbers 100 to 999, but with 'tausend' (thousand) instead of 'hundert'. For example, 1234 would be 'eintausendzweihundertvierunddreißig' (literally, one thousand two hundred four and thirty).
German numbers can seem complicated at first, but with practice and repetition, they will become second nature. Remember that the key to learning is constant practice. Try to incorporate German numbers into your daily life by counting objects in German or reading numbers in German whenever possible.
We hope this chapter has helped clarify the structure of numbers in German. In the next chapter, we'll explore a fundamental aspect of German grammar: cases. Stay tuned and keep learning!
