The Danish numerical system is an essential aspect of the language that facilitates effective communication in various contexts. Mastering the numbers in Danish grammar enables you to express quantities, prices, dates and time, among other practical applications. This comprehensive guide offers detailed information on the structure and usage of Danish numbers, allowing you to express yourself accurately and naturally in both spoken and written language.

Cardinal Numbers in Danish

Cardinal numbers are the most basic form of numbers, representing quantity. In Danish, cardinal numbers follow a fairly simple pattern, which we’ll explore below.

Basic Cardinal Numbers

Let’s begin with basic cardinal numbers, ranging from 0 to 20:

0 - nul
1 - en (et)
2 - to
3 - tre
4 - fire
5 - fem
6 - seks
7 - syv
8 - otte
9 - ni
10 - ti
11 - elleve
12 - tolv
13 - tretten
14 - fjorten
15 - femten
16 - seksten
17 - sytten
18 - atten
19 - nitten
20 - tyve

Tens and Large Cardinal Numbers

Here’s a rundown of the tens and larger cardinal numbers in Danish:

30 - tredive
40 - fyrre
50 - halvtreds
60 - tres
70 - halvfjerds
80 - firs
90 - halvfems
100 - hundrede
1,000 - tusind
1,000,000 - million
1,000,000,000 - milliard

Ordinal Numbers in Danish

Ordinal numbers indicate the position of an item in a sequence and follow a relatively straightforward pattern in Danish.

Basic Ordinal Numbers

Let’s examine the basic ordinal numbers, from 1st to 10th:

1st - første
2nd - anden (for neutral nouns) / andet (for common nouns)
3rd - tredje
4th - fjerde
5th - femte
6th - sjette
7th - syvende
8th - ottende
9th - niende
10th - tiende

Higher Ordinal Numbers

For ordinal numbers above 10, simply add the suffix “-ende” to the cardinal number:

20th - tyvende
30th - tredjende
40th - fyrrende
50th - halvtreds(ende)

Forming Compound Numbers

Danish compound numbers

Between 21 and 99, Danish compound numbers are formed by combining the units and the tens with the conjunction “og” (and). For example:

21 - enogtyve
32 - toogtredive
66 - seksogtres
99 - nioghalvfems

Key Takeaways: Mastering Numbers in Danish Grammar

In conclusion, mastering numbers in Danish grammar is essential for successfully navigating daily life and effectively communicating with native speakers. With this detailed guide, you can proficiently use cardinal and ordinal numbers, understand compound number formation, and enhance your overall spoken and written Danish language skills. Practice regularly to solidify your understanding of numbers in Danish grammar, and soon you’ll find yourself effortlessly using them in various contexts.