How to count in German for beginners: 1‑100 with examples

2026-10-06

To count in German as a beginner, start with the numbers 0‑100, learn their spelling and pronunciation, and practice them daily. The rest of this article shows you the essential list, how to combine numbers, pronunciation tricks, and a quick practice routine you can do right now.

What are the basic German numbers for beginners?

German uses a simple set of cardinal numbers from null (zero) to zwanzig (twenty). Memorising these first twenty gives you a solid foundation for everything else.

eins – one
zwei – two
drei – three
vier – four
fünf – five
sechs – six
sieben – seven
acht – eight
neun – nine
zehn – ten
elf – eleven
zwölf – twelve
dreizehn – thirteen
vierzehn – fourteen
fünfzehn – fifteen
sechzehn – sixteen
siebzehn – seventeen
achtzehn – eighteen
neunzehn – nineteen
zwanzig – twenty

For quick reference, the free German numbers tool lists all numbers up to one hundred with audio, so you can hear the correct pronunciation.

How do you form compound numbers from 21 to 99?

After twenty, German builds numbers by placing the unit before the ten and joining them with und (and). The pattern is: unit + und + tens. For example:

einundzwanzig – twenty‑one (literally “one and twenty”)
zweiunddreißig – thirty‑two
dreiundvierzig – forty‑three
vierundfünfzig – fifty‑four
fünfundsechzig – sixty‑five
sechsundsiebzig – seventy‑six
siebenundachtzig – eighty‑seven
achtundneunzig – ninety‑eight

Notice the slight spelling changes: ein becomes ein in the compound, and dreißig (thirty) keeps the ß. The only exception is einundzwanzig; for all other tens the unit stays unchanged.

Practice these combos with the everyday phrases tool, which lets you hear each number in a short sentence.

What are common pronunciation tips for German numbers?

German pronunciation can trip up English speakers, especially the umlauted vowels and the sharp ß. Here are three quick tips:

ü sounds like the French u or the English “ue” in “due”. Example: fünf (five) – say “fyoonf”.
ö is similar to the “i” in “bird” for many English accents. Example: zwölf (twelve) – “tsvœlf”.
The ß is pronounced like a sharp “s”. Example: dreißig (thirty) – “dry-sig”.

Listening repeatedly helps. Use the free listen‑and‑repeat tool to copy the native rhythm.

Practical steps to practice counting in German today

Apply the knowledge immediately with this short routine. It takes five minutes and needs only a phone or computer.

Write the numbers 0‑20 on a piece of paper. Say each aloud, checking your pronunciation with the numbers tool.
Pick a random number between 21 and 99. Build it using the unit + und + tens rule, then say it out loud three times.
Record yourself with your phone’s voice memo. Play it back and compare to the native audio in the tool.
Do a quick mental quiz: close your eyes and count from 0 to 30 in German without looking. If you stumble, review the problematic numbers.
End with a short dialogue: imagine you’re at a market and need to say “I would like three apples”. Say Ich möchte drei Äpfel (I would like three apples).

Repeating this routine daily builds automatic recall.

How to use German Buddy to reinforce counting skills

German Buddy’s free speaking prompts include a “Numbers” set where you receive a random number and must type or speak the answer. The app corrects you with a more natural phrasing and a short tip, exactly what you need after the routine above.

Start with the “Counting” prompt, practice for five minutes, and watch your confidence grow. Remember, the first 7 days give you unlimited practice, then you keep a free daily allowance forever.

FAQ

Can I count higher than 100 in German?

Yes. After 100, German uses hundert (hundred) and builds larger numbers similarly: einhunderteinundzwanzig (121) means “one hundred twenty‑one”. The same pattern applies to tausend (thousand).

Do German numbers change in different cases?

Cardinal numbers themselves stay the same, but when they modify nouns they follow the case of the noun. For example, in the accusative you would say Ich sehe zwei Hunde (I see two dogs).

Is there a shortcut to learn numbers quickly?

Chunking helps: learn the tens (zwanzig, dreißig, vierzig, …) as separate units, then practice the unit‑und‑ten combos. Flashcards, the word‑of‑the‑day, and daily counting drills speed up memorisation.

How often should I practice counting?

Short, daily sessions are most effective. Even a 5‑minute count‑out‑loud each morning reinforces memory far better than a long weekly review.

Practice counting in German with German Buddy

Ready to turn theory into fluency? Open the German Buddy app, choose the “Counting” prompt, and start speaking or typing the numbers you just learned. You get instant, gentle corrections and a tip to sound more natural. start practising free – you have 7 days of unlimited access, then a free daily allowance that never runs out.