German Numbers 1-20 Explained for Beginners
Imagine you are in a bar in Germany and you want to order two beers: how do you do that? You need the German numbers, called Zahlen. This lesson teaches you the numbers from 0 to 20, so you can order up to twenty beers, and then you practise them with four small calculation exercises.
German Numbers from 0 to 20
| Number | German | Number | German |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | null | 11 | elf |
| 1 | eins | 12 | zwĂślf |
| 2 | zwei | 13 | dreizehn |
| 3 | drei | 14 | vierzehn |
| 4 | vier | 15 | fĂźnfzehn |
| 5 | fĂźnf | 16 | sechzehn |
| 6 | sechs | 17 | siebzehn |
| 7 | sieben | 18 | achtzehn |
| 8 | acht | 19 | neunzehn |
| 9 | neun | 20 | zwanzig |
| 10 | zehn |
A few things that help you remember: the numbers 13 to 19 are built from the small number plus -zehn (drei + zehn, vier + zehn). In sechzehn (16) and siebzehn (17) the small number loses a little: sechs becomes sech- and sieben becomes sieb-. The numbers 11 and 12, elf and zwĂślf, are their own words.
Calculating in German (Rechnen)
Rechnen means âto calculateâ. It is a great way to practise numbers, because you have to think in German to get the answer. You need four small words:
| German | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| plus | plus | Eins plus zwei ist drei. (1 + 2 = 3) |
| minus | minus | Neun minus vier ist fĂźnf. (9 - 4 = 5) |
| mal | times | Zwei mal sechs ist zwĂślf. (2 x 6 = 12) |
| durch | divided by | Acht durch vier ist zwei. (8 : 4 = 2) |
The word ist in the middle works like the equals sign: âisâ or âequalsâ.
How to Order Beer in German
Now you can do what we promised at the beginning. Go to the bar, speak to the bartender and say:
- Zwei Bier, bitte. (Two beers, please)
If you are really thirsty you can also say Zwanzig Bier, bitte. The pattern is always the same: number, noun, bitte.
How to Practise the Numbers in Daily Life
The most important tip from the video: use the numbers in your daily life, as often as possible. The more you speak, the better you remember them.
- If you play a sport such as squash, count the points in German.
- When you go shopping and see prices, say them in German in your head.
- Use anything you can count, because that costs you no extra time and helps a lot.
What to Learn Next
Continue counting with German numbers from 20 to 100, where you learn why German says âfour and twentyâ. Then use numbers for the clock in how to tell the time in German and for days and months in weekdays, daytime and months in German. For your very first words, watch the top 20 German words you need to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you count from 0 to 20 in German?
Null, eins, zwei, drei, vier, fĂźnf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn, elf, zwĂślf, dreizehn, vierzehn, fĂźnfzehn, sechzehn, siebzehn, achtzehn, neunzehn, zwanzig.
How do you say plus, minus, times and divided by in German?
Plus is plus, minus is minus, times is mal and divided by is durch. The result is introduced by ist, for example Zwei mal sechs ist zwĂślf.
How do you order two beers in German?
Say Zwei Bier, bitte. That means âTwo beers, please.â
What does Zahlen mean in German?
Zahlen is the German word for ânumbersâ. The verb rechnen means âto calculateâ.
What is the best way to learn the German numbers?
Use them in real life. Count points in a game in German, say prices in German when you shop, and repeat small calculation exercises such as Neun minus vier ist fĂźnf.
Numbers are only the start. If you would like a clear path from your very first German words to confident everyday conversations, take a look at our A1 German course and learn with videos, worksheets and answers to your questions.
