Numbers 11-100
Learn the Swedish numbers from 11 (elva) to 100 (hundra). This involves memorizing 11-19, learning the tens (20, 30, 40...), and combining them to form numbers like 21 (tjugoett).
How It Works
Learning higher numbers in Swedish is straightforward once you know the basic patterns. Let's break it down.
1. Numbers 11-19
The numbers from 11 to 19 have their own specific names. You need to memorize them. Notice how numbers 13-19 end in -ton, which is similar to '-teen' in English.
- 11 - elva
- 12 - tolv
- 13 - tretton
- 14 - fjorton
- 15 - femton
- 16 - sexton
- 17 - sjutton
- 18 - arton
- 19 - nitton
2. The Tens
The multiples of ten also have unique names.
- 20 - tjugo
- 30 - trettio
- 40 - fyrtio
- 50 - femtio
- 60 - sextio
- 70 - sjuttio
- 80 - åttio
- 90 - nittio
- 100 - (ett) hundra
3. Compound Numbers (21-99)
To form numbers between the tens, you simply combine the ten and the single digit. The structure is [Ten] + [Digit 1-9]. They are written as one word.
- 21 = tjugo + ett → tjugoett
- 32 = trettio + två → trettiotvå
- 43 = fyrtio + tre → fyrtiotre
- 54 = femtio + fyra → femtiofyra
- 99 = nittio + nio → nittionio
This structure is very consistent and logical, just like in English.
Numbers Ending In One
Use en with common-gender nouns and ett with neuter nouns: tjugoen stolar but tjugoett år. A standalone counting form is tjugoett. This does not turn the following noun singular: tjugoen stolar is plural.
Recognizing Regional Forms
Arton is the ordinary form taught here; aderton also occurs in Finland Swedish and some established expressions. Spoken reductions of the tens vary; keep the standard spellings shown in writing.
Examples (6)
- Jag har femton kronor.
I have fifteen kronor.
Word by Word: I have fifteen kronor.
- Min syster är tjugoett år gammal.
My sister is twenty-one years old.
Word by Word: My sister is twenty-one years old.
- Det finns trettio stolar i klassrummet.
There are thirty chairs in the classroom.
Word by Word: It exists thirty chairs in the-classroom.
- Boken har nittiosju sidor.
The book has ninety-seven pages.
Word by Word: The-book has ninety-seven pages.
- Min morfar är åttiofem.
My grandfather is eighty-five.
Word by Word: My maternal grandfather is eighty-five.
- Jag behöver hundra gram smör.
I need one hundred grams of butter.
Word by Word: I need hundred grams butter.
Common Mistakes
Adding och between the tens and units in ordinary numbers such as twenty-five.
Jag är tjugo och fem år gammal.Jag är tjugofem år gammal.The ordinary number twenty-five is tjugofem, not tjugo och fem. This does not ban och from every numerical expression: två och en halv (two and a half) has a different structure.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn numbers 11-100, you first need to be familiar with the basic cardinal numbers (0-10). While numbers 11 and 12 are unique, the numbers from 21-99 are formed by combining the tens (tjugo, trettio, etc.) with the basic single-digit cardinal numbers.
Related Patterns
- Telling age
A very common use for higher numbers is in telling someone's age, for example, 'Hon är trettio år gammal' (She is thirty years old).
Level 1 - Telling time
Numbers up to 59 are essential for telling time, such as 'Tåget går klockan sjutton fyrtiofem' (The train leaves at 17:45).
Level 1 - det finnsThere Is/are
The phrase det finns (there is/are) is often used with numbers to talk about quantities, e.g., 'Det finns femtio stjärnor på flaggan' (There are fifty stars on the flag).
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice Numbers 11-100 in Bubblegum
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