Numbers 1-10

Level 1

1: één, 2: twee, 3: drie, 4: vier, 5: vijf, 6: zes, 7: zeven, 8: acht, 9: negen, 10: tien.

How It Works

Dutch numbers 1–10 are the foundation of the counting system. While they are mostly straightforward, there are a few key rules to become confident with:

1. Gender Neutrality
Unlike some other languages, Dutch cardinal numbers are gender-neutral. They do not change their form based on whether they precede a de-word or a het-word. For example, it is drie boeken (het-word) and drie katten (de-word).

2. The Number One (één vs een)
The number 1 is often written as één with acute accents to distinguish it from the indefinite article een (a/an). While the accents are technically only required to avoid ambiguity, they are standard in learning materials to help you recognize the difference. In speech, één has a long 'e' sound (like 'rain'), while een has a short 'uh' sound.

3. The Singular After Numbers Rule
Nouns following numbers 2–10 are usually plural. However, a specific group of units for time, measurement, and currency remains in the singular form. This is known as the singular after numbers rule.

  • Units that stay singular: jaar (year), uur (hour), kwartier (quarter hour), euro, kilo, liter, meter, and gram. (e.g., vijf euro, tien jaar).
  • Units that become plural: dag (day), week, maand (month), minuut (minute), and seconde. (e.g., vier weken, zes maanden).

4. The 'Zeuven' Variant
You might hear Dutch speakers say zeuven instead of zeven (7). This is common on the phone or in noisy environments to avoid confusion with negen (9), as both words end in '-en'.

5. Pronunciation Tips
Pay attention to the 'g' in negen and the 'ch' in acht. Both are guttural sounds produced in the back of the throat.

Examples (5)

  1. Ik heb één broer en twee zussen.

    I have one brother and two sisters.

    Word by Word: I have one brother and two sisters.

    Shows the use of 'één' to emphasize the number one, and the standard plural 'zussen'.

  2. Dat kost vijf euro.

    That costs five euros.

    Word by Word: That costs five euro.

    Demonstrates that 'euro' stays singular after the number five.

  3. We wachten al drie uur.

    We have been waiting for three hours already.

    Word by Word: We wait already three hour.

    Demonstrates that 'uur' (hour) stays singular when used as a unit of time after a number.

  4. De vakantie duurt vier weken.

    The vacation lasts four weeks.

    Word by Word: The vacation lasts four weeks.

    Unlike 'uur' or 'jaar', the word 'week' must be pluralized after a number.

  5. Er zijn zeven boeken en negen pennen.

    There are seven books and nine pens.

    Word by Word: There are seven books and nine pens.

    Numbers do not change based on the gender of the noun; 'zeven' and 'negen' remain the same for both 'de' and 'het' words.

Common Mistakes

  • Skipping the accent on 'één' when the number is meant.

    Different MeaningIk wil een appel, niet twee.
    Ik wil één appel, niet twee.

    The wrong sentence is fine: 'niet twee' already shows that 'een' is a number, so the accent is optional. The accent helps when a sentence could otherwise be read with 'een' as 'a/an', as in 'Ik heb één boek'.

  • Pluralizing specific units like 'jaar' or 'euro' after a number.

    Ik ben tien jaren oud.
    Ik ben tien jaar oud.

    Certain units of time, money, and measurement like 'jaar', 'uur', and 'euro' stay singular after a number. Other units like 'dag' or 'week' follow regular plural rules.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Numbers 1-10Level 1

Learn This First

Cardinal numbers 1-10 are foundational vocabulary in Dutch. While they are largely independent, a basic grasp of Dutch spelling and pronunciation rules is helpful for learning their written and spoken forms.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

tweedrieviervijfzeszevenachtnegentien