Guten Tag! Learning to count in German is a fundamental skill that will prove useful in various situations, whether you are traveling to a German-speaking country or simply want to expand your language skills. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through how to say German numbers 1-100 in both formal and informal contexts. Additionally, we will provide tips, examples, and even touch on regional variations when necessary.
Table of Contents
Numbers 1-10
Let’s start with the basics. Here’s how to say the numbers from 1 to 10 in German:
- 1 – eins (ayns)
- 2 – zwei (tsvai)
- 3 – drei (dry)
- 4 – vier (feer)
- 5 – fünf (foons)
- 6 – sechs (zeks)
- 7 – sieben (zee-ben)
- 8 – acht (ahkt)
- 9 – neun (noyn)
- 10 – zehn (tsayn)
Remember to practice the pronunciation of each number to ensure accuracy.
Numbers 11-20
Now, let’s move on to numbers 11-20. In German, these numbers are formed by combining the words for the tens and the units. Here’s how they are expressed:
- 11 – elf (elf)
- 12 – zwölf (tsvelf)
- 13 – dreizehn (dry-tsayn)
- 14 – vierzehn (feer-tsayn)
- 15 – fünfzehn (foons-tsayn)
- 16 – sechzehn (zeks-tsayn)
- 17 – siebzehn (zeeb-tsayn)
- 18 – achtzehn (ahkt-tsayn)
- 19 – neunzehn (noyn-tsayn)
- 20 – zwanzig (tsvahn-tsik)
Pay attention to the unique pronunciation of “elf” for 11 and “zwölf” for 12.
Numbers 21-100
After mastering numbers 1-20, the rest of the counting in German becomes more straightforward. Here’s how numbers 21-100 are formed:
The pattern is as follows: Tens + Units
- 21 – einundzwanzig (ayn-unt-tsvahn-tsik)
- 22 – zweiundzwanzig (tsvai-unt-tsvahn-tsik)
- 23 – dreiundzwanzig (dry-unt-tsvahn-tsik)
- 30 – dreißig (dryss-ig)
- 40 – vierzig (feer-tsik)
- 50 – fünfzig (foons-tsik)
- 60 – sechzig (zeks-tsik)
- 70 – siebzig (zeeb-tsik)
- 80 – achtzig (ahkt-tsik)
- 90 – neunzig (noyn-tsik)
- 100 – hundert (hoon-dert)
As you can see, the numbers from 21 to 99 follow the same pattern of combining the tens and units. Simply connect them with “und” (and). However, there is a slight variation with 30, where it is called “dreißig” instead of “dreiunddreißig.”
Formal and Informal Ways of Saying Numbers
In German, there are formal and informal ways of saying numbers. The choice between the two depends on the situation and the level of formality required. Here’s how they differ:
- Formal: Typically used in official settings or when addressing strangers.
Formal: Eine Eintrittskarte, bitte. (One ticket, please.)
Formal: Ich hätte gerne hundert Euro gewechselt. (I would like to exchange one hundred euros.)
Informal: Used when speaking to friends, family, or in casual situations.
Informal: Gib mir bitte eins deiner Bücher. (Give me one of your books, please.)
Informal: Kannst du mir fünf Euro leihen? (Can you lend me five euros?)
Remember to adapt your language accordingly based on the context.
Tips and Examples
Learning German numbers can be more effective with the help of these tips and examples:
Tips:
- Practice Pronunciation: Pay close attention to the pronunciation and practice it out loud to improve your accent.
- Number Patterns: Observe the patterns in German numbers to make it easier to remember and form larger numbers.
- Repetition: Regularly review and practice the numbers to reinforce your memory.
Examples:
- Example 1: Die Party findet am vierundzwanzigsten August statt. (The party takes place on the twenty-fourth of August.)
- Example 2: Kannst du mir sieben Tassen Zucker geben? (Can you give me seven cups of sugar?)
- Example 3: Ich habe fünfundneunzig Euro gespart. (I have saved ninety-five euros.)
By following these tips and practicing with examples, you’ll soon become confident in counting and using German numbers!
That concludes our guide on how to say German numbers 1-100. We’ve covered the basics, including formal and informal ways of expressing numbers, as well as provided useful tips and examples. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language to enhance your skills further. Gute Reise and viel Erfolg!
