German numbers may seem tricky at first, but with a few simple rules, you’ll quickly count from 0 to 100 with confidence. In this blog, we will guide you step by step through German numbers in an easy-to-understand way.
Numbers from 0 to 20
We start with numbers 0 to 20, which form the basis for higher numbers:
- 0 – Null
- 1 – Eins
- 2 – Zwei
- 3 – Drei
- 4 – Vier
- 5 – Fünf
- 6 – Sechs
- 7 – Sieben
- 8 – Acht
- 9 – Neun
- 10 – Zehn
- 11 – Elf
- 12 – Zwölf
- 13 – Dreizehn
- 14 – Vierzehn
- 15 – Fünfzehn
- 16 – Sechzehn
- 17 – Siebzehn
- 18 – Achtzehn
- 19 – Neunzehn
- 20 – Zwanzig
Notice the pattern from 13 to 19, where you simply combine numbers (3 to 9) with “zehn.”
Counting from 21 to 99
From 21 upwards, German numbers follow a different pattern. You say the ones digit first, followed by “und” (“and”), and finally the tens digit:
- 21 – Einundzwanzig (literally “one and twenty”)
- 32 – Zweiunddreißig (“two and thirty”)
- 43 – Dreiundvierzig (“three and forty”)
- 54 – Vierundfünfzig (“four and fifty”)
- 65 – Fünfundsechzig (“five and sixty”)
- 76 – Sechsundsiebzig (“six and seventy”)
- 87 – Siebenundachtzig (“seven and eighty”)
- 98 – Achtundneunzig (“eight and ninety”)
The Tens from 30 to 100
Here are the tens from 30 to 100, which help you build any number easily:
- 30 – Dreißig
- 40 – Vierzig
- 50 – Fünfzig
- 60 – Sechzig
- 70 – Siebzig
- 80 – Achtzig
- 90 – Neunzig
- 100 – Einhundert or Hundert
Note the slight changes: 30 uses “ß” (sharp S), while numbers from 40 onward use the suffix “zig.”
Tips to Remember German Numbers
- Say it backward: For numbers between 21 and 99, start with the units digit.
- Practice out loud: Speaking numbers frequently builds your confidence and accelerates memorization.
- Break it down: Larger numbers are combinations of smaller numbers you’ve already learned.
With these simple guidelines, you’re now ready to count confidently from 0 to 100 in German. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)
