Understanding Cardinal Numbers in German
Cardinal numbers (Kardinalzahlen) are the numbers you use for counting, such as one, two, three, and so on. They answer the question “How many?” and are fundamental in daily conversations. Let’s break down the most important aspects of cardinal numbers in German.
German Cardinal Numbers: 1-20
Here is a list of the cardinal numbers from one to twenty in German:
- eins (1)
- zwei (2)
- drei (3)
- vier (4)
- fünf (5)
- sechs (6)
- sieben (7)
- acht (8)
- neun (9)
- zehn (10)
- elf (11)
- zwölf (12)
- dreizehn (13)
- vierzehn (14)
- fünfzehn (15)
- sechzehn (16)
- siebzehn (17)
- achtzehn (18)
- neunzehn (19)
- zwanzig (20)
Forming Higher Numbers
After twenty, German numbers follow a consistent pattern, often placing the unit before the tens (unlike English). For example, 21 is “einundzwanzig” (literally, “one and twenty”). Here are some examples:
- 21 – einundzwanzig
- 32 – zweiunddreißig
- 47 – siebenundvierzig
- 58 – achtundfünfzig
This pattern continues for all numbers up to ninety-nine. For hundreds and thousands, German uses “hundert” (hundred) and “tausend” (thousand), e.g., 100 is “einhundert” and 1,000 is “eintausend”.
Understanding Ordinal Numbers in German
Ordinal numbers (Ordnungszahlen) are used to indicate position or order, such as first, second, third, etc. They answer the question “Which one?” and are especially useful for dates, rankings, and instructions.
German Ordinal Numbers: 1st-20th
Ordinal numbers in German are formed by adding -te or -ste to the cardinal number. Here are the most common ones:
- erste (1st)
- zweite (2nd)
- dritte (3rd)
- vierte (4th)
- fünfte (5th)
- sechste (6th)
- siebte (7th)
- achte (8th)
- neunte (9th)
- zehnte (10th)
- elfte (11th)
- zwölfte (12th)
- dreizehnte (13th)
- vierzehnte (14th)
- fünfzehnte (15th)
- sechzehnte (16th)
- siebzehnte (17th)
- achtzehnte (18th)
- neunzehnte (19th)
- zwanzigste (20th)
Forming Higher Ordinal Numbers
From 20 onwards, ordinal numbers take the suffix -ste:
- 21st – einundzwanzigste
- 30th – dreißigste
- 100th – hundertste
- 1000th – tausendste
Note that the endings may change according to gender, case, and number, so be sure to match them to the noun they describe.
Tips for Mastering German Numbers
- Practice regularly: Use apps like Talkpal to drill numbers and test your recall.
- Listen to native speakers: Watching videos or listening to audio will help you get used to German pronunciation and number structure.
- Apply numbers in context: Try using numbers when talking about dates, prices, times, and quantities to reinforce your memory.
- Pay attention to pronunciation: Some German numbers sound similar, so practice saying them clearly.
Common Uses of Numbers in Daily German
Numbers appear everywhere in daily life. Here are a few situations where you’ll use cardinal and ordinal numbers in German:
- Dates: “am dritten Mai” (on the third of May)
- Ages: “Ich bin fünfundzwanzig Jahre alt.” (I am twenty-five years old.)
- Addresses: “Hauptstraße siebenundvierzig” (Main Street 47)
- Ordering: “Ich bin der zweite in der Reihe.” (I am the second in line.)
Conclusion
Mastering cardinal and ordinal numbers in German is a key step on your language journey. By understanding their patterns and practicing them in context, you’ll quickly gain confidence in using them during everyday conversations. Don’t forget to use resources like Talkpal to enhance your learning experience and keep practicing until German numbers become second nature!
