German Numbers: Understanding the Logic Behind "einundzwanzig"
For many learners, it's the biggest hurdle when counting in German: Why are the ones placed before the tens? "Einundzwanzig" instead of "twenty-one". This guide explains all German numbers from 1 to 100 and helps you confidently master the system.
How German Numbers Are Structured
The German number system is logical, but has one special rule that distinguishes it from many other languages: the reversed order of ones and tens.
- 1-12
-
Basic numbers: eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn, elf, zwölf
These numbers have unique names and must be memorized.
- 13-19
-
Formation with "-zehn": dreizehn, vierzehn, fünfzehn, sechzehn, siebzehn, achtzehn, neunzehn
Numbers are formed from ones and zehn. Exceptions: sechzehn (instead of sechszehn) and siebzehn (instead of siebenzehn).
- 20-99
-
Ones + "und" + tens: einundzwanzig, fünfunddreißig
The most important rule: First the ones, then "und", then the tens. Everything is written as one word. Exception: eins becomes ein-.
- 100+
-
Hundred, thousand: hundert, hunderteins, tausend
Hundreds and thousands are placed in front. Example: einhunderteinundzwanzig (121).
German Numbers from 1 to 100
All German numbers from 1 to 100 in overview. Perfect for systematic learning and quick reference.
Test Your German Number Understanding
Can you match these numbers correctly? How confident are you with German numbers from 1-100?
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Hundreds, Thousands and Large Numbers
Here are the most important numbers and their formation:
- 100, 200, 300 ...
-
hundert, zweihundert, dreihundert ...
Hundreds are formed by placing the basic number in front: vierhundert (400), fünfhundert (500). It's also called einhundert (100).
- 1.000, 2.000, 3.000 ...
-
tausend, zweitausend, dreitausend ...
Like with hundreds, the basic number is placed in front: viertausend (4,000). It's also called eintausend (1,000).
- 10.000
-
zehntausend
Ten + thousand.
- 1.000.000
-
eine Million
zwei Millionen, drei Millionen, etc.
- 1.000.000.000
-
eine Milliarde
zwei Milliarden, drei Milliarden, etc.
- 1.000.000.000.000
-
eine Billion
zwei Billionen, drei Billionen, etc.
Common Pitfalls When Learning German Numbers
Hearing or quickly pronouncing numbers can be challenging. These cases especially often lead to confusion:
-
Ones before tens:
The biggest hurdle: fünfundzwanzig (5 and 20) instead of "twenty-five". This takes practice until it becomes automatic. -
Similar-sounding numbers:
sechzehn (16) vs. sechzig (60) and siebzehn (17) vs. siebzig (70). The ending is crucial. -
"zwei" vs. "zwo":
To avoid confusion with "drei", zwo is often used instead of zwei on the phone. -
"eins" vs. "ein":
The number alone is eins. In a number like einundzwanzig or before a noun (ein Euro) it becomes ein.
Understanding and Using Numbers in Daily Life
In spoken German, numbers are often pronounced quickly – especially with:
-
Time:
Es ist ein Uhr. (It's one o'clock)
Es ist zwei Uhr. (It's two o'clock)
Viertel nach drei = 3:15
halb fünf = 4:30
Viertel vor sechs = 5:45
zwanzig vor sieben = 6:40
zehn nach neun = 9:10 -
Money amounts:
fünf Euro neunundneunzig = €5.99
vierundzwanzig Euro fünfzig = €24.50
Das macht dann neunzehn Euro. (That'll be nineteen euros.) -
Years:
1984 → neunzehnhundertvierundachtzig
2006 → zweitausendsechs
2025 → zweitausendfünfundzwanzig -
Basic arithmetic:
8 + 7 = 15 → acht plus sieben ist fünfzehn
12 - 3 = 9 → zwölf minus drei ist neun
4 × 5 = 20 → vier mal fünf ist zwanzig
18 ÷ 6 = 3 → achtzehn geteilt durch sechs ist drei -
Fractions and decimals:
¼ → ein Viertel
½ → die Hälfte, halb
0,5 → null Komma fünf
3,14 → drei Komma eins vier
What Makes German Numbers Unique
German has certain linguistic conventions and peculiarities when dealing with numbers – in spelling, pronunciation and expression. Here's an overview of what makes German numbers distinctive:
-
Numbers as one word:
Numbers under one million are written as one word in German: zweihundertfünfzigtausendvierhundert (250,400). -
Reversed order (ones before tens):
A central peculiarity of German: From 21 onwards, the ones are placed before the tens and connected with "und": dreiundvierzig (43). -
Number notation with period and comma:
In German, thousands are separated with periods, decimal places with commas:
4.400,50 = viertausendvierhundert Komma fünfzig -
"ß" for thirty:
Only the number 30 (dreißig) is written with "ß". All other tens end in "-zig" (e.g. vierzig, fünfzig).
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