Welcome to your next lesson! In our previous session, you learned how to start and end conversations with the right greetings and goodbyes, paying close attention to the crucial formal and informal distinctions. Now that you can open the door to a conversation, it's time to learn how to exchange fundamental information.
Today, we will focus on counting from 0 to 100. This is an essential skill that goes far beyond simple enumeration. We will see how these numbers are the building blocks for discussing prices, sharing phone numbers, and quantifying information. Given your goal of studying finance and economics in Germany, a precise understanding of numbers is the first step towards engaging with economic data and navigating daily transactions.
The First Steps: Numbers 0 to 20
The numbers from 0 to 20 form the foundation. Like in many languages, the first twelve numbers are unique and must be memorized, while the numbers from 13 to 19 follow a more predictable pattern.
To start, let's hear and practice the pronunciation. This video from "Learn German" will guide you through the numbers 0 to 20. Pay close attention to the sounds, especially the umlauts in fünf and zwölf.
Numbers in German 0-100 | Zahlen | German for beginners | Learn German
Watch the video to learn the numbers from 0 to 20.
First, watch the segment covering numbers 0 to 12. Listen and repeat each number. The presenter gives helpful tips on pronunciation. You can find this from the beginning. Next, continue with the numbers 13 to 20. The video explains the simple rule for these numbers (digit + zehn) and points out the slight irregularities for 16 and 17. Watch this part from 13 to 20.
As you just saw and heard, the numbers from 13 to 19 are mostly a combination of the single digit and zehn (ten).
drei(3) +zehn(10) =dreizehn(13)vier(4) +zehn(10) =vierzehn(14)
Notice the small exceptions:
- For 16, we say
sechzehn, notsechszehn. The 's' is dropped fromsechs. - For 17, we say
siebzehn, notsiebenzehn. The 'en' is dropped fromsieben.
The German Twist: Numbers 21 to 100
This is where we encounter a feature of German that often surprises learners but follows a very strict logic. In English, we say "twenty-one." In German, the order is reversed: you say "one and twenty" (einundzwanzig). This "unit + and + ten" structure applies to all numbers up to 99.
This concept is much easier to grasp when you hear it. Let's return to the "Learn German" video to see this rule in action.
Numbers in German 0-100 | Zahlen | German for beginners | Learn German
This part of the video explains the 'backwards' structure of German numbers.
Watch the section that explains the rule for numbers from 21 onwards. It clearly demonstrates the "unit-and-ten" logic, for example with einundzwanzig (one-and-twenty). This crucial explanation starts at 21 to 100. Next, learn the tens numbers (dreißig, vierzig, etc.) from the tens. Pay attention to dreißig, which uses 'ß' and ends in -ßig, unlike the others which end in -zig. Finally, the video introduces the number 100 at the final number, which can be hundert or einhundert.
To solidify this concept and have a handy reference, please review the following guide from Sprachcaffe. It provides a great written explanation and a complete table.
Learn German Numbers from 1 to 1000 - Sprachcaffe
This article reinforces the 'unit-and-ten' rule and provides a comprehensive table for you to study.
First, read the section How to form Intermediate Numbers. This part explains the einundzwanzig principle very clearly. Then, carefully study the complete list in the section German Numbers from 21 to 100. This table is your main reference for all numbers up to 100. Try reading a few of them aloud, like 34 (vierunddreißig), 56 (sechsundsechzig), and 98 (achtundneunzig).
Practical Applications: Prices and Phone Numbers
Knowing the numbers is one thing; using them is the real goal. Let's look at two of the most common applications.
1. Prices (Preise)
This is your first step into the world of German finance on a micro-level! When stating prices in euros, Germans typically say the euro amount, the word Euro, and then the cent amount.
Example: €25,99 is spoken as "fünfundzwanzig Euro neunundneunzig" (twenty-five Euro ninety-nine).
The article from Lingvist gives a clear and simple explanation.
German numbers and what you need to know | Lingvist
Read this short section for clear examples of how prices are spoken in German.
Find the section titled "Paying the right price" and read the two examples provided, from the example to the supermarket total.
To practice this actively, the following video presents a short quiz. Prices will appear on the screen, and you'll have a few seconds to say them in German before the answer is revealed.
Learn German Numbers 0 - 1000 | German Lesson for beginners
Watch this segment from "Speak Fluent German" for a practical exercise on prices.
The video introduces hundert and tausend, but the most useful part for you now is the price practice. Jump to the price test and try to say each price before the speaker does.
2. Phone Numbers (Telefonnummern)
When giving a phone number, Germans typically say each digit individually. This is a very important practical habit to adopt. Why? Because of the "one-and-twenty" structure we just learned. If someone said a number like "thirty-four" (vierunddreißig) as part of a phone number, the listener would have to mentally flip the digits while trying to write them down, which is confusing. Saying single digits avoids this problem.
Example: The number 0176 98765432 would be read as:null - eins - sieben - sechs - neun - acht - sieben - sechs - fünf - vier - drei - zwei
The video from "Speak Fluent German" offers an excellent explanation for this cultural practice.
Learn German Numbers 0 - 1000 | German Lesson for beginners
This short clip explains the logic behind stating phone numbers as single digits.
Watch the section from when we give out to understand the convention for phone numbers and postcodes. The speaker clearly explains why it's better to use single digits.
Self-Check
Let's test your understanding. How would you write out the following numbers in German words?
- 42
- 76
- 99
And how would you say the following aloud?
- A price of €18,50
- Your phone number (try it with your own!)
Pause here and try to answer before revealing the solutions below.
Solutions:
zweiundvierzigsechsundsiebzigneunundneunzigachtzehn Euro fünfzig- (Depends on your number, but remember to say it digit by digit!)
Key Takeaways
- Numbers 0-12 are unique and must be memorized.
- Numbers 13-19 are formed by combining the digit with
-zehn. - The key rule for numbers 21-99 is unit-first:
[unit] + und + [ten], e.g.,dreiundvierzig(43). - When stating prices, say the full units:
[Euro amount] Euro [cent amount]. - When giving phone numbers, say the digits individually to avoid confusion.
You've now equipped yourself with a crucial tool for any interaction in Germany. Being able to understand and state quantities, prices, and contact details will boost your confidence immensely.
In our next lesson, we will combine everything we've learned so far—greetings, pronunciation, and numbers—to construct full sentences. You will learn how to introduce yourself, state your origin, and, most importantly for your goals, say what you study.