zwölf
/t͡svœlf/
The German word for twelve is zwölf.
zwölf is the cardinal number 12.
Meaning: cardinal number 12 (num)
How do you pronounce it?
/tsvœlf/
Did you know?
- Historically, the word zwölf is related to the concept of 'two left over', coming from a root meaning 'two' and 'left'.
- The number zwölf is the last number in German that has its own unique root before the language switches to a combination of numbers like dreizehn for thirteen.
- The word zwölf shares a common ancestor with the English 'twelve', both descending from the Proto-Germanic *twalif.
Examples in context
- Es ist zwölf Uhr.It's twelve o'clock.This sentence shows how to use zwölf when stating the time.Tatoeba #6174056 by sprachensprech, translation #2714679 by captcrouton
- Er ißt um zwölf Uhr.He eats at twelve o'clock.This sentence demonstrates using zwölf to indicate a specific time for an action.Tatoeba #12562508 by Waldelfe, translation #6534853 by kayano
- Mein Neffe ist zwölf.My nephew is twelve.This sentence illustrates using zwölf to express a person's age.Tatoeba #8188963 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8188770 by Ergulis
- Der Vortrag beginnt um zwölf Uhr.The lecture starts at twelve o'clock.
- Können wir uns um zwölf treffen?Can we meet at twelve?
- Ich habe zwölf Bücher in meinem Regal.I have twelve books on my shelf.
- Es sind nur noch zwölf Tage bis zu meinem Geburtstag.There are only twelve days left until my birthday.
- Ich habe zwölf Euros in meiner Geldbörse.I have twelve euros in my wallet.
- 156 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are at a bakery looking at a box of donuts.
- SarahWie viel kostet eine Packung mit zwölf?How much is a pack of twelve?
- JulianDie zwölf Stück kosten nur fünf Euro.The twelve pieces cost only five euros.
- SarahDas ist ein tolles Angebot.That is a great deal.
- JulianIch nehme die zwölf für uns.I will take the twelve for us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “twelve” translations and entries zwölf, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zwölf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
