Welcome back! In our first lesson, we tuned our ears and mouths to the sounds of German. Now, we'll put that new pronunciation skill to immediate and practical use. This lesson focuses on counting from 0 to 100. Far from being a simple memorization exercise, learning numbers is an excellent way to practice the phonetic rules we've covered and to understand a key piece of German logical structure that will appear in other areas of the language.
We will build up your knowledge systematically: first mastering the essential numbers from 0 to 12, then learning the patterns for the teens and the tens, and finally tackling the unique German system for all numbers in between. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to recognize and say any number up to 100, a crucial skill for everything from shopping and telling time to scheduling appointments.
The Building Blocks: Numbers 0-12
Just like in English, the first set of numbers from 0 to 12 in German are unique and need to be learned by heart. These form the foundation for all larger numbers. Pay close attention to the pronunciation, as this is a great opportunity to practice the sounds from our last lesson, such as the 'z' in zwei, the 'v' in vier, and the Umlaut in fünf.
The following resource provides a list of these numbers with audio clips. This is the best way to get them right from the start.
Learn how to say German numbers (with audio)
This article from The German Project clearly lays out the basic numbers and includes audio for each one, which is perfect for pronunciation practice.
Please start at the beginning of the article. First, focus on the section under the heading "German numbers: 0 - 10". Click the "Play" button for each number and repeat it aloud. Then, continue to the next section, "German numbers: 11 - 19", and do the same for elf (11) and zwölf (12). We will cover the rest of this section next.
Notice a few key pronunciation points:
- zwei (2): The 'z' is a sharp /ts/ sound, as we learned.
- vier (4): The 'v' is pronounced like an 'f'.
- fünf (5): Here is our first number with an Umlaut, 'ü'. Remember to round your lips as if whistling while making an 'ee' sound.
- elf (11) and zwölf (12): These are irregular, just like in English. The 'ö' in zwölf is another Umlaut to practice.
The First Pattern: Numbers 13-19
Once you know the numbers up to 12, the teens (with the exception of 11 and 12) follow a very simple and logical pattern: Base Number + zehn (ten).
For example, to say thirteen, you take drei (three) and add zehn (ten) to get dreizehn.
There are two minor spelling adjustments to be aware of:
- 16 is sechzehn, not sechszehn. The 's' from sechs is dropped.
- 17 is siebzehn, not siebenzehn. The '-en' from sieben is dropped.
These small changes make the words easier to pronounce.
The image below illustrates this simple pattern.
Now, let's hear these spoken. Return to the article from The German Project and review the numbers from 13 to 19.
Learn how to say German numbers (with audio)
We will now complete the section on numbers 11-19.
Find the heading "German numbers: 11 - 19" again and listen to the audio for each number from thirteen to nineteen. Repeat each one, paying attention to the pattern.
The Second Pattern: Multiples of 10
The multiples of ten (20, 30, 40, etc.) also follow a clear pattern. Most are formed by taking the Base Number + zig.
There are a few exceptions here as well:
- 20: zwanzig
- 30: dreißig (Note the use of -ßig instead of -zig)
- 60: sechzig (The 's' is dropped from sechs)
- 70: siebzig (The '-en' is dropped from sieben)
The following video provides a clear, native pronunciation of these numbers.
Counting in German from 1 - 100 | Super Easy German 178
This video from the Easy German channel presents the numbers in a natural context. We'll focus on the section explaining the tens.
Please watch the segment from this timestamp. The presenters explain how the multiples of ten are formed. Listen carefully and repeat after them.
The Main Event: Numbers 21-99
Here we encounter the most significant difference from English. For any number between 21 and 99, German speakers state the ones digit first, then connect it with "und" (and), and finally state the tens digit.
The formula is: [Ones] + und + [Tens]
Let's break it down with an example:
- 21 is "one and twenty" → einundzwanzig
- 47 is "seven and forty" → siebenundvierzig
- 98 is "eight and ninety" → achtundneunzig
Notice two small details:
- When 'one' (eins) is the first digit, it becomes ein- (the 's' is dropped), as in einundzwanzig.
- The entire number is written as one single, long word.
This "backwards" structure takes some getting used to, but it is perfectly logical and consistent. The video you just watched has an excellent section explaining this.
Counting in German from 1 - 100 | Super Easy German 178
Let's continue with the Easy German video to see this core rule in action with many examples.
Watch the section from this part of the video. The presenter clearly explains the "ones-and-tens" rule and gives several examples. This is the most important concept in this lesson, so feel free to re-watch it.
Your Reference Chart and Practice
You've now learned all the components and rules needed to count to 100. The image below provides a complete list from 1 to 100 that you can use as a reference sheet.
Now, let's practice. Try to write out the following numbers in German words. Don't worry about perfect spelling at first; focus on applying the patterns.
- 27
- 33
- 54
- 81
- 99 (a classic high level in many video games!)
(Take a moment to write them down before revealing the answers below.)
Answers:
- siebenundzwanzig
- dreiunddreißig
- vierundfünfzig
- einundachtzig
- neunundneunzig
Conclusion
Well done! You have successfully learned one of the most fundamental and frequently used parts of the German language. Mastering numbers is not just about counting; it's about internalizing a key piece of German syntax that will help you think more like a native speaker.
Let's recap the key takeaways:
- Numbers 0-12 are unique and must be memorized.
- Numbers 13-19 follow the pattern: Base Number + zehn.
- Multiples of ten (20, 30...) follow the pattern: Base Number + zig (with some exceptions like dreißig).
- Numbers 21-99 follow the crucial German pattern: Ones + und + Tens, all written as one word.
Continue to practice these numbers. Say them aloud whenever you see them—on a clock, a price tag, or a page number. This active use will solidify the patterns in your mind.
In our next lesson, we will continue building our conversational toolkit by learning how to use basic greetings and farewells. You'll soon be able to start and end a simple interaction in German. Bis zum nächsten Mal! (Until next time!)