Learn Swedish Numbers: From "ett" to "hundra"
The Swedish number system is logical and very similar to English. Let us explain the simple system and learn much more than just numbers from 1 to 100.
How Swedish Numbers Are Structured
The Swedish number system is very logical and regularly structured. Most numbers follow clear rules, with only a few exceptions among the basic numbers from 1-12.
- 1-12
-
Basic numbers: ett, två, tre, fyra, fem, sex, sju, åtta, nio, tio, elva, tolv
These numbers have their own names and must be memorized. The number 1 has two forms: en (for grammatically masculine/feminine nouns) and ett (for neuter nouns and when counting).
- 13-19
-
Formation with "-ton": tretton, fjorton, femton, sexton, sjutton, arton, nitton
These numbers are formed from the basic number (3-9) and the suffix -ton (ten). Similar to English numbers with "-teen".
- 20-99
-
Tens + ones: tjugoett, trettiofem, nittionio
The numbers are formed by joining the tens and ones directly together (without spaces or "and"). Example: 21 is tjugoett (twenty-one).
- 100+
-
Hundred & thousand: hundra / etthundra, tusen / ettusen
Hundred is hundra, thousand is tusen. The "ett" can be added in front: etthundra, ettusen – both forms are correct.
Swedish Numbers from 1 to 100
All Swedish numbers from 1 to 100 in overview. Perfect for systematic learning and quick reference.
Test Your Swedish Number Skills
Can you match these numbers correctly? How confident are you with Swedish numbers from 1-100?
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Hundreds, Thousands and Large Numbers
Here are the most important numbers and their formation:
- 100
-
(ett) hundra
Standing alone, often just hundra. In combination: etthundraett (101).
- 200-900
-
tvåhundra, trehundra, fyrahundra, femhundra, sexhundra, sjuhundra, åttahundra, niohundra
The hundreds are simply formed by adding the basic number in front, without any special features.
- 1,000
-
(ett) tusen
Thousand
- 1,000,000
-
en miljon
One million
- 1,000,000,000
-
en miljard
One billion
- 1,000,000,000,000
-
en biljon
One trillion
Common Pitfalls When Learning Numbers
Hearing or quickly pronouncing numbers can be challenging. These cases in particular often lead to confusion:
-
Watch gender agreement (en/ett):
en bil (a car) vs. ett hus (a house). The number 1 adapts to the grammatical gender. When counting without a noun, ett is usually used. In compound numbers, it usually remains ett: tjugoett. -
Similar-sounding numbers:
femton (15) vs. femtio (50), or sexton (16) vs. sextio (60). In the teens (13-19), the suffix -ton is stressed, while in the tens (20-90), the suffix -tio is stressed. -
Pronunciation of "sju" and "tjugo":
The 7 (sju) and 20 (tjugo) have an "sj" sound that can be difficult for English speakers. It sounds somewhat like the "sh" in "ship" but with rounded lips and more friction. -
No "and" between numbers:
Unlike in some languages, you don't say "twenty and one" but simply tjugoett (twenty-one). All compound numbers are joined directly together, without "and" in between.
Understanding and Using Numbers in Daily Life
In spoken Swedish, numbers are often pronounced quickly – especially with:
-
Time expressions:
Klockan är fem = It's five o'clock (5:00)
kvart över sju = quarter past seven (7:15)
halv tio = half past nine (9:30)
tio i tolv = ten to twelve (11:50) -
Money amounts:
femtioåtta kronor = 58 kronor
etthundrasjuttiofem kronor och femtio öre = 175.50 kronor
spänn = money (colloquial)
Det kostar femtio spänn = It costs fifty bucks. -
Years:
1985 → nittonhundraåttiofem
2025 → tvåtusentjugofem -
Basic arithmetic:
8 + 6 = 14 → åtta plus sex är fjorton
15 - 7 = 8 → femton minus sju är åtta
6 × 4 = 24 → sex gånger fyra är tjugofyra
20 ÷ 5 = 4 → tjugo delat med fem är fyra -
Fractions and decimals:
½ → en halv
¼ → en fjärdedel
5.82 → fem komma åttiotvå
Unique Characteristics of Swedish Numbers
Swedish has certain linguistic conventions and distinctive features when dealing with numbers – in spelling, pronunciation, and expression. Here's an overview of typical characteristics:
-
Compound numbers:
Numbers under 100 are written as one word: tjugoett (21), nittionio (99). -
Number formatting with periods and commas:
In Swedish, thousands are often separated with a period or space, decimal places always with a comma:
1.500,50 or 1 500,50 = one thousand five hundred comma fifty
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