numerals

German Cardinal Numbers (Kardinalzahlen)

Cardinal numbers are the basic building blocks for counting, telling the time, and handling money in German. While they follow logical patterns, there are several unique quirks in pronunciation and writing.

1. Basic Forms (0-19)

The numbers from 0 to 12 are unique and must be memorized. From 13 to 19, the numbers are formed by adding -zehn to the unit.

• null (zero)
• eins (one)
• zwei (two)
• drei (three)
• zehn (ten)
• elf (eleven)
• zwölf (twelve)

2. Tens and the "Reverse" Rule

Tens usually end in -zig (except dreißig). For numbers between 21 and 99, German says the unit first, then und (and), followed by the ten. It is written as one single word.

• zwanzig (twenty)
• einundzwanzig (twenty-one)
• fünfunddreißig (thirty-five)

3. Large and Complex Numbers

Large numbers like hundert (hundred) and tausend (thousand) can be used alone or with ein- for emphasis (einhundert). In written German, even extremely long numbers are traditionally written as one word.

• fünfhundertfünfunddreißig (535)
• fünfhundertvierundsiebzigtausendzweihundertsechsundneunzig (574,296)

Note: eine Million (a million), eine Milliarde (a billion), and eine Billion (a trillion) are treated as separate feminine nouns and take plural endings.

• fünf Millionen zweihundertsechsunddreißigtausendvierhundertdreiundzwanzig (5,236,423)

4. Written Conventions

In Germany, digits are used more frequently in writing than in English. For large figures, use a space or a period as a thousands separator, and a comma for decimals.

• 564 297 or 564.297 (564,297)
• 1,5 (1.5)

5. Spoken Nuances and Colloquialisms

To avoid confusion with drei (three) over the phone, Germans often use zwo instead of zwei. Additionally, the numbers 2-12 sometimes add an -e for emphasis in casual speech.

• zwohundertdreißig (two hundred thirty)
• Ich bin um fünfe aufgestanden. (I got up at five.)
• fuffzehn / fuffzig (fifteen / fifty - colloquial pronunciation)

6. Special Usages

• Years: Years from 1100 to 1999 are expressed in hundreds. 1996 is neunzehnhundertsechsundneunzig (nineteen hundred ninety-six).
• Indefinite amounts: zig is used like "umpteen." Ich kenne sie schon zig Jahre. (I've known her for umpteen years.)
• Numbers as Nouns: When referring to the numeral itself, it is feminine. Die Sieben ist eine Glückszahl. (Seven is a lucky number.)
• Handwriting: Germans write 1 with a long upstroke. To distinguish it, the number 7 is written with a cross-stroke (7̶).