Numbers 13-20
13 to 19 end in -zéng: dräizéng, véierzéng, fofzéng, siechzéng, siwwenzéng, uechtzéng, nonzéng. 20 is zwanzeg.
How It Works
The list
- 13 dräizéng
- 14 véierzéng
- 15 fofzéng (not fënnefzéng)
- 16 siechzéng (not sechszéng)
- 17 siwwenzéng (written with ww)
- 18 uechtzéng (not aachtzéng)
- 19 nonzéng (not néngzéng)
- 20 zwanzeg
Teen or -ty?
The ending -zéng means teen and -zeg means -ty: véierzéng is 14, but véierzeg is 40; fofzéng is 15, but fofzeg is 50. Listen for the é.
Spelling
Seven is siwen with one w, but 17 is siwwenzéng with ww, because the vowel is short. The n of siwwenzéng stays, because z follows (see n-rule).
Using them
Ages: Hatt ass siechzéng Joer al. Prices: Zwanzeg Euro, wannechgelift. Timetables often use the 24-hour clock: um véierzéng Auer (at 2 p.m.). Continue with numbers above 20.
Examples (6)
- Meng Schwëster ass fofzéng Joer al.
My sister is fifteen years old.
Word by Word: My sister is fifteen year old.
Fofzéng: fënnef changes to fof.
- D'Klass huet siwwenzéng Schüler.
The class has seventeen pupils.
Word by Word: The class has seventeen pupils.
- Den Zuch fiert um véierzéng Auer.
The train leaves at 2 p.m.
Word by Word: The train goes at fourteen hour.
Timetables often use the 24-hour clock.
- Hien ass uechtzéng Joer al.
He is eighteen years old.
Word by Word: He is eighteen year old.
Uechtzéng: aacht changes to uecht.
- Zwanzeg Euro, wannechgelift.
Twenty euros, please.
Word by Word: Twenty euro, please.
- Siechzéng plus véier ass zwanzeg.
Sixteen plus four is twenty.
Word by Word: Sixteen plus four is twenty.
Siechzéng: sechs changes to siech.
Common Mistakes
Building 15 from fënnef.
Hatt ass fënnefzéng Joer al.Hatt ass fofzéng Joer al.Fifteen is fofzéng. The small number changes its vowel.
Building 16 from sechs.
Ech hunn sechszéng Euro.Ech hunn siechzéng Euro.Sixteen is siechzéng, with the vowel ie and no s before z.
Saying -zeg when you mean a teen.
Hien ass véierzeg Joer al.Hien ass véierzéng Joer al.Intended meaning: he is fourteen. Véierzeg means forty; the teen ending is -zéng.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Numbers 13-20, learn Numbers 1-12.
Related Patterns
- Numbers Above 20
After zwanzeg come the -zeg tens and compound numbers.
Level 1 - Ordinal Numbers and Dates
Ordinals add -t to these numbers: den dräizéngten.
Level 2 - Telling the Time
Timetables use numbers up to 24 for clock times.
Level 2 - wéi villHow Much and How Many: Wéi Vill
Wéi vill? asks how many.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice Numbers 13-20 in Bubblegum
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