Numbers 1 to 100
Once you know numbers 1-20, you can easily form numbers up to 100 using simple patterns.
German numbers follow a logical system that becomes easier with practice.
This lesson covers numbers from 21 to 100 and the patterns used to form them.
Explanation
Numbers 21-99 are formed by saying the ones digit first, then 'und' (and), then the tens digit: 'einundzwanzig' (21 = one and twenty), 'zweiunddreißig' (32 = two and thirty).
Tens: zwanzig (20), dreißig (30), vierzig (40), fünfzig (50), sechzig (60), siebzig (70), achtzig (80), neunzig (90).
Note: 'dreißig' (30) has 'ß', not 'ss'. 'sechzig' (60) drops the 's' from 'sechs', and 'siebzig' (70) drops 'en' from 'sieben'.
The number 100 is 'hundert'. For numbers above 100: 'einhundert' (100), 'zweihundert' (200), etc.
When 'eins' is part of a larger number, it becomes 'ein-': 'einundzwanzig' (21), not 'einsundzwanzig'.
Numbers 20-100
| Number | German | Pattern | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | zwanzig | zwanzig | twenty |
| 21 | einundzwanzig | ein + und + zwanzig | twenty-one |
| 30 | dreißig | dreißig | thirty |
| 32 | zweiunddreißig | zwei + und + dreißig | thirty-two |
| 40 | vierzig | vierzig | forty |
| 50 | fünfzig | fünfzig | fifty |
| 60 | sechzig | sechzig | sixty |
| 70 | siebzig | siebzig | seventy |
| 80 | achtzig | achtzig | eighty |
| 90 | neunzig | neunzig | ninety |
| 100 | hundert | hundert | one hundred |
Examples
Ich bin einundzwanzig Jahre alt.
I am twenty-one years old.
Das kostet fünfunddreißig Euro.
That costs thirty-five euros.
Wir sind siebenundachtzig Personen.
We are eighty-seven people.
Es gibt hundert Bücher.
There are one hundred books.
Ich habe zweiundneunzig Euro.
I have ninety-two euros.
Common Mistakes
einsundzwanzig
einundzwanzig
When 'eins' is part of a larger number, it becomes 'ein-' (without 's'): 'einundzwanzig', not 'einsundzwanzig'.
dreissig
dreißig
The number 30 is spelled 'dreißig' with 'ß', not 'ss'. This is a special spelling.
sechsundzwanzig
sechsundzwanzig
Actually correct, but note that 'sechs' keeps the 's' when it's the ones digit, unlike in 'sechzig' (60).
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.