Bite 6: German Numbers – Count Your Way to Fluency

German in 100 bites by Dr. Mitar Pitzek

Bite 6:
German Numbers – Count Your Way to Fluency
(A1 Level)

Innes Blog - Bite 6: German Numbers - Count Your Way to Fluency

Before We Dive In:

Numbers are everywhere in daily life. Whether you’re checking the time, paying for your groceries, or giving your phone number, you can’t avoid them! But numbers in German aren’t just about counting – they’re an essential part of how you’ll communicate. From asking how much something costs to telling someone your age, knowing numbers will help you in so many situations.
In today’s bite, we’re diving into German numbers – starting from the basics all the way to practical situations like phone numbers and prices. Let’s explore the world of numbers in German and see how they can help you navigate your daily life in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.

Step-by-Step Guide to German Numbers

1. The Basics: Numbers 0 – 20

Let’s start with the most important numbers in German – the ones you’ll use every day. The numbers 0 to 20 are your foundation, so let’s get them right first:

Counting from 1 to 10
Let’s start with the basics:

eins – one
zwei – two
drei – three
vier – four
fünf – five
sechs – six
sieben – seven
acht – eight
neun – nine
zehn – ten

Tip: Practice saying these aloud to get the pronunciation right!

Exercise 1:
Translate these into German:

3, 7, 9
2, 5, 8

2. From 11 to 20

Next, we’ll look at the „teens,“ which are slightly irregular:

elf – eleven
zwölf – twelve
dreizehn – thirteen
vierzehn – fourteen
fünfzehn – fifteen
sechzehn – sixteen
siebzehn – seventeen
achtzehn – eighteen
neunzehn – nineteen
zwanzig – twenty

Notice how numbers above twelve are formed: the base number + „zehn.“

Exercise 2:
Write the following numbers in German:

3. Counting in Tens

German numbers follow a predictable pattern after twenty:

dreißig – thirty
vierzig – forty
fünfzig – fifty
sechzig – sixty
siebzig – seventy
achtzig – eighty
neunzig – ninety
hundert – one hundred

Exercise 3:

Write these numbers in German:

30, 50, 90
23, 47, 85

4. Counting Beyond 20: The Pattern

German numbers from 21 onward follow a very simple pattern. The number is formed by saying the unit first, followed by „und“ (and), and then the tens:

21: einundzwanzig (literally: one and twenty)
34: vierunddreißig (four and thirty)
58: achtundfünfzig (eight and fifty)

Exercise 4:

Write out these numbers in German:

5. Using Numbers in Real-Life Contexts

Now let’s look at how numbers are used in real-life situations. They’re not just for counting—they come up everywhere in daily conversations:

Phone Numbers: Germans say each digit separately. For example:
0676 123 4567 becomes „null sechs sieben sechs eins zwei drei vier fünf sechs sieben.“ à „Meine Telefonnummer ist null-sechs-sieben-sechs …“
Prices: If you’re shopping, knowing numbers helps you with prices. For example:
„Das kostet neun Euro fünfzig.“ (That costs 9.50 euros.)

„Wie alt bist du?“ – „Ich bin dreißig Jahre alt.“ (How old are you? – I’m 30 years old.)

Exercise 5:
Write a sentence in German for each situation:

State your age.
Say your phone number (invent one!).
Give a price for an imaginary product.

6. Tipps for Mastering Numbers

Practice listening to numbers in real-life contexts, such as prices or addresses.
Use flashcards or apps like Quizlet to drill numbers until they become second nature.
Challenge yourself: Try writing your grocery list in German with quantities (e.g., „zwei Äpfel, drei Bananen“).

7. Practice Makes Perfect

Learning numbers in German can seem tricky at first – especially when it comes to the numbers 21, 43, 76, and so on. But with practice, you’ll get the hang of it! Try integrating numbers into your daily life by using them when giving prices, telling the time, your phone number or even counting how many steps you take on a walk. Remember: numbers are everywhere, and with these basic building blocks, you’ll feel more confident in any situation.

Bonus Tip from Dr. Pitzek

Numbers are the foundation of so many conversations. But don’t just practice them in isolation. One of the best ways to get comfortable with numbers is to use them in real-world contexts. Practice making mock phone calls or role-playing shopping situations, where you have to give and ask for prices. You could even use ChatGPT to simulate these situations in German. For example, type: “Pretend you’re a shopkeeper in Vienna. I want to buy something, and we’ll talk about prices.” It’s a fun, pressure-free way to get comfortable with German numbers and practice them in a meaningful context!