Numbers 11-20

Level 1

German numbers 11–20 start with two unique words (11, 12) followed by a regular pattern of [Unit] + zehn (13–19), ending with zwanzig (20).

How It Works

To count from 11 to 20 in German, you need to recognize four distinct groups:

1. The Irregulars (11 & 12)

  • 11: elf
  • 12: zwölf

These do not follow a pattern and must be memorized. Note the Umlaut in zwölf.

2. The Standard Teens (13, 14, 15, 18, 19)
These are simple compounds: [Digit] + zehn.

  • 13: dreizehn (drei + zehn)
  • 14: vierzehn (vier + zehn)
  • 15: fünfzehn (fünf + zehn)
  • 18: achtzehn (acht + zehn)
  • 19: neunzehn (neun + zehn)

3. The Modified Teens (16 & 17)
These drop letters from the base Digit for easier pronunciation:

  • 16: sechzehn (The '-s' from sechs is dropped. In sechs, the 'chs' combination sounds like an 'x'. Once the 's' is removed, the 'ch' reverts to the standard soft 'ich-sound').
  • 17: siebzehn (The '-en' from sieben is dropped).

4. The Boundary (20)

  • 20: zwanzig

This introduces the -zig Suffix used for Tens (40, 50, etc.). Note two things: the Root of zwei changes to zwan-, and while most Tens use -zig, the Number 30 (dreißig) is a mandatory Exception that uses -ßig.

Examples (5)

  1. Ich bin siebzehn Jahre alt.

    I am seventeen years old.

    Word by Word: I am seventeen years old.

    Uses 'siebzehn' (17), showing the shortened form of 'sieben'.

  2. Der Zug kommt um vierzehn Uhr an.

    The train arrives at 14:00 (2 p.m.).

    Word by Word: The train comes at fourteen clock at.

    German often uses the 24-hour clock (military time) for schedules, making numbers like 14 (vierzehn) very common.

  3. Wir haben zwölf Eier gekauft.

    We bought twelve eggs.

    Word by Word: We have twelve eggs bought.

    'Zwölf' is the irregular word for 12. Always remember the umlaut 'ö'.

  4. Das Ticket kostet elf Euro.

    The ticket costs eleven Euros.

    Word by Word: The ticket costs eleven Euro.

    'Elf' is the irregular word for 11.

  5. Es sind sechzehn Kinder in der Klasse.

    There are sixteen children in the class.

    Word by Word: It are sixteen children in the class.

    Note that 'sechzehn' (16) drops the 's' from 'sechs'.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the full digit for 16 and 17.

    sechszehn, siebenzehn
    sechzehn, siebzehn

    In standard German, you must drop the '-s' from 'sechs' and the '-en' from 'sieben' when adding the '-zehn' suffix.

  • Confusing '-zehn' (teens) with '-zig' (tens).

    Ich bin dreißig Jahre alt. (when meaning 13)
    Ich bin dreizehn Jahre alt.

    Learners often mix up 'dreizehn' (13) and 'dreißig' (30). Remember: '-zehn' is like 'teen' and '-zig/-ßig' is like '-ty'. Note that 30 is the only one using '-ßig'.

  • Omitting the umlaut in 'zwölf'.

    zwolf
    zwölf

    The umlaut 'ö' is not optional; it changes the pronunciation and is required for correct spelling.

How It Connects

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

Numbers 11-20Level 1

Learn This First

To learn the numbers 11-20, you first need to be familiar with the numbers 1-10. While 11 (elf) and 12 (zwölf) are unique, the numbers 13-19 follow a predictable pattern using the base numbers 3-9 combined with 'zehn' (ten).

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

elfzwölfdreizehnvierzehnfünfzehnsechzehnsiebzehnachtzehnneunzehnzwanzig