German Numbers 1–100: The Complete Pattern Guide
German numbers follow two simple systems: unique words from 1–12, then regular combinations. From 13–99, numbers read units-first: 21 is einundzwanzig ('one-and-twenty'). Hundreds are straightforward: 234 = zweihundertvierunddreißig.
German counting looks scary when written as one word — einundachtzig! — but the underlying logic is mechanical. Learn the pattern once and you can count forever.
Numbers 1–12 (memorize these)
| # | German | # | German |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eins | 7 | sieben |
| 2 | zwei | 8 | acht |
| 3 | drei | 9 | neun |
| 4 | vier | 10 | zehn |
| 5 | fünf | 11 | elf |
| 6 | sechs | 12 | zwölf |
Teens and tens
| Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|
| 13–19: drei+zehn | 13 dreizehn, 16 sechzehn*, 17 siebzehn* |
| Tens: zwanzig, dreißig, vierzig… | 20 zwanzig, 30 dreißig, 50 fünfzig |
The famous reversal: 21–99
Units come FIRST joined by und: 21 einundzwanzig, 34 vierunddreißig, 68 achtundsechzig. Only two irregular spellings above: sechzehn (not sechs-) and siebzehn (not sieben-).
Numbers in real life
- Phone numbers are read digit-by-digit; 0 = null
- Prices: 'Das kostet neunundneunzig Euro' (€99)
- Years: 1990 = neunzehnhundertneunzig
- Decimal comma: 4,99 € reads 'vier Komma neunzig neun'
Frequently asked questions
Why do Germans say twenty-one backwards?
Historically Germanic languages place units before tens ('four-and-twenty'). English kept this only in poetry. For learners it becomes automatic within days.
How do you say zero in German?
null. In phone numbers each digit is said separately, so 0 is 'null'.
Does German use a decimal point or comma?
Comma for decimals (9,99 €) and dot or space for thousands (1.000 or 1 000). Opposite of US convention.
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