sechzehn
/ˈzɛçt͡seːn/
Sixteen in German is sechzehn.
sechzehn is the cardinal number 16. You can use it to count items, such as saying sechzehn Autos for sixteen cars or sechzehn Bücher for sixteen books.
Meaning: cardinal number 16 (num)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of sechs (six) and zehn (ten), though the s is dropped when they are combined.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzɛçtseːn/
Did you know?
- The German number sechzehn is used in the phrase sechzehn Uhr to denote 4 PM in the 24-hour clock, which is the standard for official schedules in Germany.
- In many German dialects, the pronunciation of sechzehn can shift so significantly that the 'ch' sound might sound closer to a soft 'sh' or a harsh 'kh'.
- The word sechzehn is a direct cognitive relative of the English 'sixteen'. Both evolved from the same Proto-Germanic root *sehstehun.
Examples in context
- Im Mai werde ich sechzehn.I will be sixteen in May.This sentence is useful for talking about turning sixteen in May.Tatoeba #1555992 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #252587 by CK
- Ich bin sechzehn Jahre alt.I am sixteen years old.This sentence is useful for stating your current age.Tatoeba #517006 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #258523 by CN
- Sami war ungefähr sechzehn.Sami was about sixteen years old.This sentence is useful for describing someone's approximate age in the past.Tatoeba #9798611 by Yorwba, translation #6810571 by OsoHombre
- Es gibt sechzehn TeilnehmerThere are sixteen participants.
- Heute sind sechzehn Leute hierToday, there are sixteen people here.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are looking at a menu in a cafe.
- JulianWie viel kostet der Kuchen?How much does the cake cost?
- HannahEr kostet sechzehn Euro.It costs sixteen euros.
- JulianDas ist ein bisschen teuer.That is a bit expensive.
- HannahJa, aber er schmeckt sehr gut.Yes, but it tastes very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sixteen” translations and entries sechzehn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sechzehn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
