Understanding Dutch Numbers: The Structure Behind "eenentwintig"
For English speakers, Dutch numbers can be challenging due to the "ones before tens" rule ("twenty-one" becomes "one-and-twenty"). You'll learn the language's unique features and master numbers from 1 to 100.
How Dutch Numbers Are Structured
The Dutch number system has its unique characteristics that differ from English. The numbers follow logical patterns once you understand the basic rules.
- 1-12
-
Basic numbers: een, twee, drie, vier, vijf, zes, zeven, acht, negen, tien, elf, twaalf
These basic numbers must be memorized.
- 13-19
-
Formation with "-tien": dertien, veertien, vijftien ... negentien
Very regular: basic number + tien (ten). Exceptions are dertien (not drietien) and veertien (not viertien).
- 20-99
-
Ones + en + tens: eenentwintig (21), drieëndertig (33)
From 20 onwards, the ones are stated first, followed by en (and) and the tens. Everything is written as one word without hyphens. Example: drieënveertig (forty-three).
- 100+
-
Hundreds & thousands: honderd (100), duizend (1000)
honderd for 100, tweehonderd for 200. Thousands follow the same pattern: duizend, tweeduizend.
Dutch Numbers from 1 to 100
All Dutch numbers from 1 to 100 in overview. Perfect for systematic learning and quick reference.
Test Your Dutch Number Skills
Can you match these numbers correctly? How confident are you with Dutch numbers from 1-100?
Pro tip: App for targeted number training. Did you know there's an app dedicated exclusively to numbers in foreign languages? With the Numfred app, you can specifically learn Dutch numbers.
Hundreds, Thousands and Large Numbers
Here's how larger numbers are formed in Dutch:
- 100
-
honderd
In combination: honderdéén (101). One hundred is placed directly before and combined with the stressed form of "one".
- 200-900
-
tweehonderd, driehonderd, vierhonderd, vijfhonderd, zeshonderd, zevenhonderd, achthonderd, negenhonderd
Hundreds are simply composed: basic number + honderd.
- 1.000
-
duizend
One thousand. For 2,000 you say tweeduizend.
- 1.000.000
-
een miljoen
1 million. Multiple millions: twee miljoen.
- 1.000.000.000
-
een miljard
1 billion
- 1.000.000.000.000
-
een biljoen
1 trillion
Common Pitfalls When Learning Numbers
These cases often lead to confusion or difficulties in listening and speaking:
-
Ones before tens:
The biggest adjustment: drieëntwintig (23) instead of "twenty-three". The brain needs time to adapt to this "reversed" order. -
Similar sounding numbers:
zestig (60) vs. zeventig (70) – these two tens sound very similar and are difficult to distinguish in fast speech. -
Pronunciation of "ch" and "g":
The number tachtig (80) has a ch that sounds like the German "ach", followed by a t. The hard, guttural "g" in negentig (90) is unfamiliar to English speakers. -
"een" vs. "één":
When counting or emphasizing, always say and write één to avoid confusion with the article een (a/an).
Understanding and Using Numbers in Daily Life
In spoken Dutch, numbers are often pronounced quickly – especially with:
-
Time:
Het is één uur = It's one o'clock
Het is twee uur = It's two o'clock
kwart over twee = quarter past two (2:15)
half drie = half past two (2:30)
kwart voor drie = quarter to three (2:45)
tien voor vijf = ten to five (4:50)
twintig over acht = twenty past eight (8:20) -
Money amounts:
twaalf euro vijftig = 12.50 €
zevenenveertig euro tachtig = 47.80 €
een tientje = a tenner (10 €)
Dat is vijftien euro = That's fifteen euros. -
Years:
1602 → zestienhonderdtwee
2024 → tweeduizendvierentwintig -
Basic arithmetic:
9 + 6 = 15 → negen plus zes is vijftien
18 - 7 = 11 → achttien min zeven is elf
4 × 8 = 32 → vier keer acht is tweeëndertig
27 ÷ 3 = 9 → zevenentwintig gedeeld door drie is negen -
Fractions and decimals:
½ → de helft, half
¼ → een kwart
0.5 → nul komma vijf
3.14 → drie komma veertien
Unique Features of Dutch Numbers
Dutch has certain linguistic conventions you should know about:
-
No gender agreement:
Unlike Spanish or French, Dutch numbers don't change based on the gender of the noun. This simplifies things: it's always een, whether een man or een vrouw. -
Number notation with periods and commas:
Like in German (but unlike English), thousands are separated with a period and decimals with a comma:
1.000,50 = duizend komma vijftig -
Diaeresis in numbers:
To ensure correct pronunciation, a diaeresis (¨) is often used, e.g., in tweeëntwintig or drieëndertig. It indicates that a new vowel sound begins.
Explore More Languages:
Learn Numbers with the Numfred App!
The learning app that helps you train your listening comprehension of numbers in foreign languages.
- Understand and learn numbers in 13 languages
- Up to 999,999: Recognize large numbers confidently
- Hear the numbers: Clearly and naturally spoken
- Focus on relevant number ranges
- Test without registration, no time limit
- Works completely offline
