Mastering German Numbers: The Complete 0-100 Guide

Learning German numbers is an essential foundation for anyone serious about mastering the language. While it might initially seem challenging, understanding the underlying patterns will make counting in German remarkably straightforward. Numbers pervade everyday conversations—from discussing time and money to sharing contact information and making appointments.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through German numbers from 0 to 100, breaking down the logical patterns and pronunciation rules that will help you memorize them efficiently and use them confidently in conversation.

The Foundation: German Numbers 0-12

The building blocks of the German number system begin with the numbers 0 through 12. These numbers are unique and don't follow specific patterns, making them essential to memorize individually.

0 – null [null]
1 – eins [ains]
2 – zwei [tsvai]
3 – drei [drai]
4 – vier [feer]
5 – fünf [fuenf]
6 – sechs [zeks]
7 – sieben [zee-ben]
8 – acht [akht]
9 – neun [noin]
10 – zehn [tsayn]
11 – elf [elf]
12 – zwölf [tsvœlf]

Notice that these foundation numbers have unique pronunciations that don't follow a particular pattern. Investing time in mastering these first twelve numbers will provide you with a solid base for learning the rest of the German counting system.

German Numbers 13-19: The Teen Pattern

Once you reach the teens in German (13-19), a clear pattern emerges. These numbers are formed by combining the ones digit with the word for "ten" (zehn). The general structure is:

[ones digit] + zehn = [teen number]

For example:

13 – dreizehn [drai-tsayn] = drei (three) + zehn (ten)
14 – vierzehn [feer-tsayn] = vier (four) + zehn (ten)
15 – fünfzehn [fuenf-tsayn] = fünf (five) + zehn (ten)

There are, however, a couple of notable exceptions in this range:

16 – sechzehn [zek-tsayn]: Notice the "s" from "sechs" is dropped
17 – siebzehn [zeeb-tsayn]: The "-en" from "sieben" is removed

The complete list includes:

13 – dreizehn [drai-tsayn]
14 – vierzehn [feer-tsayn]
15 – fünfzehn [fuenf-tsayn]
16 – sechzehn [zek-tsayn]
17 – siebzehn [zeeb-tsayn]
18 – achtzehn [akht-tsayn]
19 – neunzehn [noin-tsayn]

This pattern makes these numbers relatively straightforward to learn once you've mastered the numbers 1-10.

German Numbers 20-99: Understanding the Decade Pattern

For numbers 20 through 99, German follows a distinct pattern that differs from English. Let's break it down:

Numbers Divisible by 10 (20, 30, 40, etc.)

The decades follow a pattern where most end with "-zig" (similar to English "-ty"):

20 – zwanzig [tsvan-tsik]
30 – dreißig [drai-sik] (Note: This uses "ß" instead of "z")
40 – vierzig [feer-tsik]
50 – fünfzig [fuenf-tsik]
60 – sechzig [zek-tsik]
70 – siebzig [zeeb-tsik]
80 – achtzig [akht-tsik]
90 – neunzig [noin-tsik]

Note that 30 (dreißig) is the only decade that uses "-ßig" instead of "-zig", though the pronunciation remains similar.

Numbers Between Decades (21-29, 31-39, etc.)

For numbers that aren't divisible by 10, German reverses the order compared to English. The structure is:

[ones digit] + und + [tens digit with -zig/-ßig] = [complete number]

This means you say the ones digit first, followed by "und" (and), and then the tens digit. For example:

21 – einundzwanzig [ain-und-tsvan-tsik] = "one and twenty"
35 – fünfunddreißig [fuenf-und-drai-sik] = "five and thirty"
42 – zweiundvierzig [tsvai-und-feer-tsik] = "two and forty"
78 – achtundsiebzig [akht-und-zeeb-tsik] = "eight and seventy"

This reversed order might seem unusual at first if you're used to English, but it quickly becomes intuitive with practice.

Let's look at some specific examples in each decade range:

20s: Twenty-one through Twenty-nine

21 – einundzwanzig [ain-und-tsvan-tsik]
22 – zweiundzwanzig [tsvai-und-tsvan-tsik]
23 – dreiundzwanzig [drai-und-tsvan-tsik]
24 – vierundzwanzig [feer-und-tsvan-tsik]
25 – fünfundzwanzig [fuenf-und-tsvan-tsik]
26 – sechsundzwanzig [zeks-und-tsvan-tsik]
27 – siebenundzwanzig [zee-ben-und-tsvan-tsik]
28 – achtundzwanzig [akht-und-tsvan-tsik]
29 – neunundzwanzig [noin-und-tsvan-tsik]

30s: Thirty-one through Thirty-nine

31 – einunddreißig [ain-und-drai-sik]
32 – zweiunddreißig [tsvai-und-drai-sik]
33 – dreiunddreißig [drai-und-drai-sik]
34 – vierunddreißig [feer-und-drai-sik]
35 – fünfunddreißig [fuenf-und-drai-sik]
36 – sechsunddreißig [zeks-und-drai-sik]
37 – siebenunddreißig [zee-ben-und-drai-sik]
38 – achtunddreißig [akht-und-drai-sik]
39 – neununddreißig [noin-und-drai-sik]

Notice that 30 (dreißig) and the 30s series is the only decade that uses "-ßig" instead of "-zig". This spelling difference reflects a pronunciation distinction in German, though it follows the same pattern as other decades.

Key Number Patterns in German

Understanding the logic behind German counting patterns will dramatically accelerate your learning. Here are the essential patterns to internalize:

Pattern 1: The First 12 Numbers (0-12)

These numbers don't follow a specific pattern and need to be memorized individually. They form the foundation of the German numerical system.

Pattern 2: The Teens (13-19)

The teens follow the pattern: [ones digit] + zehn

With minor modifications for 16 (sechzehn) and 17 (siebzehn), where letters are dropped for easier pronunciation.

Pattern 3: The Decades (20, 30, 40...)

The decades follow the pattern: [base number] + zig With the exception of 30 (dreißig), which uses "-ßig" instead of "-zig"

Pattern 4: Complex Numbers (21-99, excluding multiples of 10)

These follow the pattern: [ones digit] + und + [tens digit with -zig/-ßig]

This reverse order (saying the ones digit before the tens) is perhaps the most distinctive feature of German counting compared to English.

Pronunciation Tips for German Numbers

Correct pronunciation is crucial for being understood when speaking German numbers. Here are some key aspects to focus on:

The "z" sound: In German, "z" is pronounced as "ts" (like in "cats"). This affects numbers like zehn [tsayn], zwanzig [tsvan-tsik], and dreizehn [drai-tsayn].
The German "r": The German "r" is typically pronounced at the back of the throat, especially in words like drei [drai] and vier [feer].
The "ch" sound: In words like acht [akht], the "ch" has a guttural sound not found in English.
Vowels with umlauts: Letters like "ü" in fünf [fuenf] represent sounds not naturally found in English. The "ü" is pronounced by saying "ee" while rounding your lips as if saying "oo".
The "-ig" ending: In standard German, the ending "-ig" is typically pronounced as "-ikh" (with a soft sound similar to the "ch" in "ich"). However, in many regions, it's commonly pronounced as "-ik", which is what we've represented in our pronunciation guides.

Practice these sounds regularly, ideally with a native speaker or reliable audio resources, to develop authentic German pronunciation.

The Different Ways to Say "One" in German

Unlike English, German has multiple ways to express the number "one" depending on the grammatical context. This complexity arises because German has grammatical gender (masculine, feminine, and neuter) and case systems that affect how words are used.

Forms of "One" Based on Gender and Case

The number "one" changes form based on both the gender of the noun it's describing and the grammatical case being used:

Nominative Case (subject of a sentence):

Masculine: ein [ain]
Feminine: eine [ai-ne]
Neuter: ein [ain]

Accusative Case (direct object):

Masculine: einen [ai-nen]
Feminine: eine [ai-ne]
Neuter: ein [ain]

Dative Case (indirect object):

Masculine: einem [ai-nem]
Feminine: einer [ai-ner]
Neuter: einem [ai-nem]

Genitive Case (possession):

Masculine: eines [ai-nes]
Feminine: einer [ai-ner]
Neuter: eines [ai-nes]

Examples in Context

Understanding when to use each form comes with practice and exposure to German. Here are examples showing different uses of "one" in various contexts:

Ein Mann kauft einen Apfel. (A man buys an apple.)
Ein: nominative masculine
Einen: accusative masculine
Eine Frau liest ein Buch. (A woman reads a book.)
Eine: nominative feminine
Ein: accusative neuter
Ich gebe einem Kind einen Ball. (I give a child a ball.)
Einem: dative neuter
Einen: accusative masculine
Das Auto einer Frau ist neu. (A woman's car is new.)
Einer: genitive feminine

This variability with "one" is something English speakers must adapt to, as English doesn't change the word "a/an" based on gender or grammatical function.

Beyond 100: Counting Larger Numbers in German

While our focus has been on numbers 0-100, understanding how to form larger numbers in German follows logical extensions of the patterns we've already discussed.

Hundreds in German

The hundreds follow a straightforward pattern: [number] + hundert

For example:

100 – hundert [hun-dert]
200 – zweihundert [tsvai-hun-dert]
300 – dreihundert [drai-hun-dert]
400 – vierhundert [feer-hun-dert]

For complex numbers involving hundreds, the pattern is: [hundreds] + [tens and ones]

For example:

152 – hundertzweiundfünfzig [hun-dert-tsvai-und-fuenf-tsik]
237 – zweihundertsiebenunddreißig [tsvai-hun-dert-zee-ben-und-drai-sik]
425 – vierhundertfünfundzwanzig [feer-hun-dert-fuenf-und-tsvan-tsik]

Thousands in German

Similarly, thousands follow the pattern: [number] + tausend

For example:

1,000 – tausend [tau-zend]
2,000 – zweitausend [tsvai-tau-zend]
3,000 – dreitausend [drai-tau-zend]

Combining thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones follows the same logical structure:

1,234 – tausendzweihundertvierunddreißig [tau-zend-tsvai-hun-dert-feer-und-drai-sik]
2,567 – zweitausendfünfhundertsiebenundsechzig [tsvai-tau-zend-fuenf-hun-dert-zee-ben-und-zek-tsik]

Practical Applications: Using German Numbers in Daily Life

Now that you understand the German number system, let's look at how these numbers are used in everyday situations.

Telling Time in German

When telling time in German, you'll often use numbers in the following patterns:

Es ist ein Uhr. (It's one o'clock.)
Es ist zwei Uhr fünfzehn. (It's 2:15.)
Es ist halb acht. (It's 7:30, literally "half eight")
Es ist Viertel nach neun. (It's 9:15, literally "quarter after nine")
Es ist Viertel vor zehn. (It's 9:45, literally "quarter before ten")

Phone Numbers and Addresses

When reciting phone numbers in German, each digit is typically pronounced individually:

For the phone number +49 30 123 4567:

Neun-und-vierzig (country code: 49)
Drei-null (area code: 30)
Eins-zwei-drei (123)
Vier-fünf-sechs-sieben (4567)

For addresses, the house number follows the street name:

Hauptstraße 23: Hauptstraße dreiundzwanzig

Money and Shopping

When discussing prices in German-speaking countries:

2,50 € – zwei Euro fünfzig
10,75 € – zehn Euro fünfundsiebzig
99,99 € – neunundneunzig Euro neunundneunzig

Dates and Years

For dates:

15. Mai – der fünfzehnte Mai (the fifteenth of May)
Dezember – der einunddreißigste Dezember (the thirty-first of December)

For years:

1995 – neunzehnhundertfünfundneunzig
2023 – zweitausenddreiundzwanzig

Memory Techniques for Learning German Numbers

Mastering German numbers becomes easier with these proven techniques:

Chunking: Instead of trying to memorize all numbers at once, break them into logical groups (0-12, 13-19, decades, etc.).
Pattern Recognition: Focus on understanding the patterns rather than memorizing individual numbers. Once you know the pattern for the 20s, you can apply it to all other decades.
Daily Practice: Incorporate numbers into your daily routine. Count in German while climbing stairs, doing repetitions during exercise, or waiting in line.
Visualization: Associate German numbers with visual cues or create mental images that connect the German word with its meaning.
Spaced Repetition: Use flashcards or spaced repetition software to review numbers at increasing intervals as you become more familiar with them.
Contextual Learning: Practice numbers in realistic contexts like telling time, discussing prices, or giving phone numbers.
Speaking Aloud: Practice pronunciation by speaking numbers aloud, recording yourself, and comparing with native pronunciations.

Digital Tools for Practicing German Numbers

Enhance your learning with these digital resources:

Language Learning Apps: Applications like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise offer specific modules for practicing German numbers.
Online Flashcards: Create digital flashcards using Anki or Quizlet to practice number recognition.
Interactive Games: Find number-based games designed specifically for language learners.
Pronunciation Guides: Use YouTube videos and audio resources featuring native speakers pronouncing German numbers.
German Number Generators: Practice with random number generators that test your ability to read and understand German numbers on the fly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning German Numbers

Be aware of these common pitfalls:

Reversing the Order: Remember that in German, the ones digit comes before the tens (except in the teens). Say "fünfundzwanzig" (25), not "zwanzigfünf."
Mispronouncing "ß": In "dreißig" (30), the "ß" is pronounced like "s," not like "b" or other sounds.
Forgetting Exceptions: Pay attention to the exceptions like "sechzehn" (16) and "siebzehn" (17), which drop letters from their base numbers.
Ignoring Gender and Case: When using "one" as an article (ein, eine, einen, etc.), be mindful of gender and grammatical case.
Incorrect Stress: In German numbers, the stress typically falls on the first syllable. Practicing with native audio helps master this aspect.

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