Cardinal numbers

Understanding Dutch numbers: what you really need to know

• This page helps you understand how Dutch numbers are written as one word.
• Focus is on: 1–19, the tens (20–90), and hundreds.
• After reading, you should know: “Which part goes first? When do I use -en-? What are the exceptions?”

Step 1 – Numbers 0–12: just learn them

From 0 to 12 you mainly need to memorise the forms. They are not built with a clear rule.

• Use these forms alone, without -en- and without extra parts.
• Examples: één uur, vijf appels, negen euro.

Step 2 – 13–19: the -tien group (and the exceptions)

For 13–19 you usually add -tien to the number, but a few forms change a bit.

• Spelling changes you should really watch:
  • vier → veertien (not viertien)
  • vijf → vijftien (extra t)
  • zes → zestien (one s)
  • acht → achttien (double tt)
• These numbers are written as one word.

Quick self-check

• Can you write 14, 15, 16, 18 without looking?
• If not, write them three times: veertien, vijftien, zestien, achttien.

Step 3 – The tens (20–90): endings -tig and -tig + small changes

The tens have their own forms. Learn these forms; later you will combine them.

• They usually end in -tig.
• Watch again the small spelling changes:
  • vier → veertig (not viertig)
  • vijf → vijftig
  • zes → zestig
  • acht → tachtig (here the beginning also changes)

Self-check

• Cover the Dutch column and say: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 in Dutch.
• Especially repeat: veertig, vijftig, zestig, tachtig.

Step 4 – Dutch order in 21–99: unit + en + ten

Here many English speakers get confused. Dutch and English use a different order inside the number.

• English: twenty-one (tens + ones)
• Dutch: één-en-twintig (ones + en + tens)

Basic rule for 21–99 (not the round tens):

• unit + en + ten → written as one word.

• No hyphens in correct spelling: éénentwintig, not één-en-twintig in writing.
• You do hear -en- when you speak.

Compare with English (very useful):

Self-check: word order

• Say in Dutch: 23, 47, 58, 91.
• Ask yourself: “Did I say ones before tens?”

Step 5 – Spelling details in 21–29: the dots on é and ë

In the book you sometimes see één and tweeën with accents or dots. Why?

• één (with accent) is used to stress the number:
  • Ik heb één broer (one brother, not two).
• In compound numbers you often do not need the accent:
  • eenentwintig is also correct spelling instead of éénentwintig.
• tweeëntwintig, drieëntwintig: the ë shows that you pronounce the vowels in separate syllables: twee-en-twintig.

At A1 level, do not worry too much. Focus on:

• Correct order (unit + en + ten)
• Correct base forms (twintig, dertig, veertig…)

Step 6 – When do I use -en- and when not?

This is a very common question. You only need a few clear rules.

• Use -en- between unit and ten:
  • éénentwintig, zesenvijftig, negenennegentig
• Do NOT use -en- in:
  • 0–19: één, tien, veertien, negentien
  • round tens: twintig, dertig, veertig
  • hundreds alone: honderd, tweehonderd, driehonderd

Wrong vs. right

• twee-en-twintig → tweeëntwintig (no hyphens in writing)
• vijf-en-tien → vijftien
• dertig-en → dertig

Step 7 – Hundreds: easy pattern

Hundreds are regular and simple.

• honderd = 100
• tweehonderd = 200
• driehonderd = 300
• etc.: vierhonderd, vijfhonderd, zeshonderd…

To go beyond 100 you just add the rest after it:

• honderd twintig = 120
• tweehonderd vijfentwintig = 225
• driehonderd negenennegentig = 399

Notice:

• Hundreds and the part after them are written as separate words.
• But inside the tens/units part you still use the one-word rule:
  • vijfentwintig, zesendertig, drieënveertig

Step 8 – Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

• English order instead of Dutch order
  • twintigdrei → drieëntwintig
  • Think: “first the small number, then the big one”.
• Hyphens in writing
  • In Dutch, numbers like 21, 34, 59 are written as one word.
  • vijf-en-veertig → vijfenveertig
• Forgetting the spelling change
  • viertien → veertien
  • vijf tien → vijftien
  • achtien → achttien
• Mixing words and digits in a strange way
  • Choose either 120 or honderd twintig, not honderd 20 in the same phrase.

Step 9 – Quick self-test: can you do this now?

1. Write in Dutch (in words): 14, 18, 25, 39, 47, 81.
   • Check: Did you write veertien, achttien correctly?
   • Check: Did you use unit + en + ten for 25, 39, 47, 81?
2. Write in digits:
   • dertig → 30
   • vijfenzeventig → 75
   • driehonderd achtentwintig → 328
3. Say out loud in Dutch (no need to write):
   • 11, 16, 32, 44, 59, 93
   • Listen to yourself: do you clearly say the -en- in numbers like 32, 59, 93?

If you can do these steps with confidence, you are ready to use Dutch numbers in conversations about time, prices, dates and phone numbers.