How do I say numbers and count in German?

The Basics: Numbers 1 to 10 in German

Let’s start with the essentials. Here are the German numbers from 1 to 10, along with their pronunciation:

• 1 – eins (ayns)
• 2 – zwei (tsvay)
• 3 – drei (dry)
• 4 – vier (feer)
• 5 – fünf (fuunf)
• 6 – sechs (zeks)
• 7 – sieben (ZEE-ben)
• 8 – acht (ahkt)
• 9 – neun (noyn)
• 10 – zehn (tsayn)

Counting Forward: Numbers 11 to 20

The numbers 11 and 12 are unique, but from 13 to 19, there’s a recognizable pattern. Here’s how they look in German:

• 11 – elf
• 12 – zwölf
• 13 – dreizehn (dry-tsayn)
• 14 – vierzehn (feer-tsayn)
• 15 – fünfzehn (fuunf-tsayn)
• 16 – sechzehn (ZEHK-tsayn)
• 17 – siebzehn (ZEEP-tsayn)
• 18 – achtzehn (AHKT-tsayn)
• 19 – neunzehn (NOYN-tsayn)
• 20 – zwanzig (TSVAN-tsig)

How to Count Beyond 20

German numbers from 21 onward follow a logical, though initially confusing, pattern: the unit comes before the tens, joined by “und” (and). For example:

• 21 – einundzwanzig (1 and 20)
• 22 – zweiundzwanzig (2 and 20)
• 23 – dreiundzwanzig (3 and 20)
• … and so on, up to 29 (neunundzwanzig).

This pattern repeats with each new set of tens:

• 30 – dreißig
• 31 – einunddreißig
• 40 – vierzig
• 50 – fünfzig
• 60 – sechzig
• 70 – siebzig
• 80 – achtzig
• 90 – neunzig
• 100 – hundert

Counting Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond

German numbers remain consistent as they get larger:

• 100 – (ein)hundert
• 200 – zweihundert
• 1,000 – (ein)tausend
• 10,000 – zehntausend
• 100,000 – hunderttausend
• 1,000,000 – eine Million

Just like in English, numbers are combined: 234 is “zweihundertvierunddreißig”, and 1,582 is “eintausendfünfhundertzweiundachtzig”.

Tips for Pronunciation and Usage

• Practice the “z” sound: In German, “z” is pronounced like “ts”. For example, “zehn” sounds like “tsayn”.
• Beware of word order: For numbers above 20, always put the unit before the ten (e.g., “einundvierzig” for 41).
• Learn by context: Use numbers in real-life situations—ordering food, giving your phone number, or telling the time—to reinforce your learning.

Common Uses of Numbers in German

• Time: “Wie spät ist es?” (What time is it?)
• Phone numbers: “Wie ist Ihre Telefonnummer?” (What’s your phone number?)
• Money and prices: “Wie viel kostet das?” (How much does that cost?)
• Counting objects: “Ich habe drei Äpfel.” (I have three apples.)

Practice Makes Perfect

Consistent practice is key to mastering numbers in German. Use flashcards, listen to German audio, or try interactive exercises with language learning apps like Talkpal. The more you use numbers in context, the quicker you’ll gain confidence.

Conclusion: Counting in German is Achievable!

Learning how to say numbers and count in German is an essential building block for your language skills. With a little practice and regular exposure, you’ll be comfortable using numbers in any situation. For more tips, interactive lessons, and practice materials, check out the resources on Talkpal’s AI language learning blog and take your German to the next level!