How do you say 21 in German?

21 in German is 'einundzwanzig', which literally means 'one-and-twenty'. This pattern applies to all numbers from 21 to 99: you say the unit first, then 'und', then the tens. For example, 34 is 'vierunddreißig' (four-and-thirty), and 99 is 'neunundneunzig' (nine-and-ninety).

What's the difference between 'eins' and 'ein'?

'Eins' is the number 1 when counting or standing alone, like in a list (eins, zwei, drei). 'Ein' is used before a masculine or neuter noun (e.g., 'ein Euro', 'ein Buch'). For feminine nouns, it's 'eine' (e.g., 'eine Mark'). In compound numbers like 21, it's always 'einundzwanzig', not 'einsundzwanzig'.

How do you say dates in German?

Dates use ordinal numbers. For example, '3 May' is 'der dritte Mai' (the third of May). In writing, you often see 'der 3. Mai' with a full stop after the number to indicate it's ordinal. Years are said in hundreds: 1998 is 'neunzehnhundertachtundneunzig'. For 2000 onwards, say 'zweitausend' (2000) or 'zweitausendacht' (2008).

How do you tell the time in German?

For full hours, say 'Es ist [number] Uhr' (e.g., 'Es ist drei Uhr' = 3:00). For minutes, use 'nach' (past) and 'vor' (to) relative to the hour or half hour. For example, 3:15 is 'Viertel nach drei' (quarter past three), 3:30 is 'halb vier' (half to four), and 3:45 is 'Viertel vor vier' (quarter to four). For exact minutes, say 'fünf nach drei' (3:05) or 'zehn vor vier' (3:50).

How do you say prices in German?

Prices are said with 'Euro' and 'Cent'. For example, €3.50 is 'drei Euro fünfzig' (or 'drei Euro fünfzig Cent'). Note that the decimal point is a comma in German, so you write '3,50 €'. For amounts like €1.99, say 'ein Euro neunundneunzig'.

What are ordinal numbers and how do you form them?

Ordinal numbers indicate position (first, second, third...). In German, for numbers 1–19, add '-te' to the cardinal number (e.g., 'vierte' = fourth, 'neunte' = ninth). For 20 and above, add '-ste' (e.g., 'zwanzigste' = twentieth, 'einunddreißigste' = thirty-first). Exceptions: 'erste' (first), 'dritte' (third), 'siebte' (seventh), 'achte' (eighth). Ordinals must agree with the noun's gender and case (e.g., 'der erste Mai', 'am ersten Mai').

Everyday Vocabulary: Numbers

WJEC

GCSE

This topic covers everyday vocabulary related to numbers, including figures, counting, and ordinal numbers (first, second, third) as specified in the WJEC GCSE German vocabulary list.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Numbers are one of the most fundamental building blocks of any language, and in German they are essential for everyday communication. This topic covers cardinal numbers (eins, zwei, drei...), ordinal numbers (erste, zweite, dritte...), and their use in contexts such as telling the time, giving dates, talking about prices, and expressing quantities. Mastering numbers is not just about memorising a list; it's about understanding patterns, such as how numbers from 21 to 99 are formed (e.g., einundzwanzig = one-and-twenty), and how they change in different grammatical situations.

For WJEC GCSE German, numbers appear across all four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You might hear a phone number in a listening task, read a price in a shopping dialogue, or need to say your age or birthday in a speaking exam. Numbers also crop up in topics like school (timetables, ages), free time (sports scores, times), and holidays (dates, temperatures). A solid grasp of numbers will boost your confidence and accuracy in many exam scenarios.

Beyond exams, numbers are vital for real-life interactions in German-speaking countries: ordering food, catching a train, or understanding opening hours. This topic is a gateway to more complex language use, as numbers often combine with other vocabulary (e.g., 'um halb drei' for time, 'am zweiten Mai' for dates). By learning the rules and practising regularly, you'll avoid common pitfalls and communicate more naturally.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Cardinal numbers 0–100: Learn the pattern for 1–12 (eins, zwei, drei...), 13–19 (dreizehn, vierzehn...), and 20–99 (zwanzig, einundzwanzig...). Note that the units come before the tens, e.g., 34 = vierunddreißig (four-and-thirty).
→Ordinal numbers: Formed by adding -te to numbers up to 19 (e.g., der vierte Mai) and -ste from 20 onwards (e.g., der zwanzigste April). They must agree with the gender and case of the noun they describe.
→Telling the time: Use 'Es ist...' with full hours (e.g., 'Es ist drei Uhr'), and for minutes use 'nach' (past) and 'vor' (to), e.g., 'Es ist fünf nach halb vier' (3:35). Know the 24-hour clock for formal contexts.
→Dates and years: Days are ordinal numbers (der erste Januar), and years are said in hundreds (e.g., 1998 = neunzehnhundertachtundneunzig). For 2000 onwards, use 'zweitausend'.
→Prices and currency: Use 'Euro' and 'Cent' with numbers, e.g., '3,50 €' is 'drei Euro fünfzig'. Note the comma as a decimal separator in German.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Correct identification of numbers 1-100
Accurate use of ordinal numbers (erst-, zweit-, dritt-)
Correct usage of 'die Nummer' (figure/number) and 'die Zahl' (figure/number)
Correct usage of 'zählen' (to count)
Understanding of 'die Million' and 'tausend'

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Correct identification of numbers 1-100
Accurate use of ordinal numbers (erst-, zweit-, dritt-)
Correct usage of 'die Nummer' (figure/number) and 'die Zahl' (figure/number)
Correct usage of 'zählen' (to count)
Understanding of 'die Million' and 'tausend'

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Practice listening to numbers in different contexts, such as prices, dates, and times
💡Ensure you can distinguish between cardinal numbers (e.g., eins, zwei) and ordinal numbers (e.g., erst-, zweit-)
💡Use numbers accurately in transactional scenarios like role plays
💡In listening exams, numbers are often said quickly or in a sequence (e.g., phone numbers). Practise listening to German numbers in context, such as train announcements or prices. Write down numbers as you hear them to improve your speed and accuracy.
💡In speaking exams, use numbers naturally in phrases like 'Ich bin fünfzehn Jahre alt' or 'Mein Geburtstag ist am dritten Juni'. Avoid just listing numbers; integrate them into full sentences to show your range.
💡In writing, pay attention to spelling and punctuation. For example, '30' is 'dreißig' (with ß), not 'dreissig'. Also, remember that decimal points are commas in German, so write '2,50 €' not '2.50 €'.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing 'die Nummer' and 'die Zahl' in context
Incorrect spelling or formation of ordinal numbers
Mispronunciation of numbers during speaking assessments
Mixing up 'eins' and 'ein': When counting, use 'eins' (eins, zwei, drei...). But before a noun, use 'ein' (e.g., 'ein Euro', not 'eins Euro'). Also, in numbers like 21, it's 'einundzwanzig', not 'einsundzwanzig'.
Forgetting the inversion in numbers 21–99: English says 'twenty-one', but German says 'one-and-twenty' (einundzwanzig). Students often say 'zwanzigeins' instead of 'einundzwanzig'. Practise saying numbers aloud to internalise the pattern.
Confusing ordinal and cardinal numbers in dates: For example, 'der 3. Mai' is read as 'der dritte Mai' (ordinal), not 'der drei Mai'. The full stop after the number indicates an ordinal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic German greetings and introductions (e.g., saying your name and age).
•The German alphabet and pronunciation, especially sounds like 'ß' and vowel combinations.
•Understanding of gender and basic noun phrases (e.g., 'der', 'die', 'das') for ordinal number agreement.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Hören Sie

Lesen Sie

Schreiben Sie

Wie viele

Um wie viel Uhr

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Everyday Vocabulary: Numbers

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE German

Core Vocabulary: Adjective / Adverb / Pronoun

Core Vocabulary: Adjectives

Core Vocabulary: Adjectives / Adverbs

Core Vocabulary: Adverbs

Topic Synopsis

Key Concepts & Core Principles

Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

Examiner Marking Points

Everyday Vocabulary: Numbers

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say 21 in German?

What's the difference between 'eins' and 'ein'?

How do you say dates in German?

How do you tell the time in German?

How do you say prices in German?

What are ordinal numbers and how do you form them?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE German

Core Vocabulary: Adjective / Adverb / Pronoun

Core Vocabulary: Adjectives

Core Vocabulary: Adjectives / Adverbs

Core Vocabulary: Adverbs