Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn to count from 20 to 99 in German by mastering compound numbers like "einundzwanzig" (21) and "vierunddreißig" (34). Understand that the unit comes before the ten, connected by "und".
  1. Tens and units are connected by "und", for example: "einundzwanzig", "zweiunddreißig".
  2. The unit digit comes before the tens digit: e.g. „vierundsechzig“ (64).
Nummer (number)Beispiel (Example)
20 : Zwanzig (20 : Twenty)25: Fünfundzwanzig (25: twenty-five)
30 : Dreißig (30 : Thirty)34: Vierunddreißig (thirty-four)
40 : Vierzig (40 : Forty)46: Sechsundvierzig (forty-six)
50 : Fünfzig (50 : Fifty)53: Dreiundfünfzig (fifty-three)
60 : Sechzig (60 : Sixty)61: Einundsechzig (Sixty-one)
70 : Siebzig (70 : Seventy)77: Siebenundsiebzig (Seventy-seven)
80 : Achtzig (80 : Eighty)86: Sechsundachtzig (eighty-six)
90 : Neunzig (90 : Ninety)99: Neunundneunzig (Ninety-nine)

Exceptions!

  1. For numbers starting with "eins", it is "ein": e.g. "einunddreißig" instead of "einsunddreißig"

Exercise 1: Die Zahlen von 20 bis 99

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

vierundvierzig, dreiundachtzig, zweiundsechzig, fünfundfünfzig, vierunddreißig, zweiundsiebzig, siebenundzwanzig, zwanzig

1. 44:
: ...
(Forty-four)
2. 34:
: ...
(Thirty-four)
3. 62:
: ...
(Sixty-two)
4. 83:
: ...
(Eighty-three)
5. 27:
: ...
(Twenty-seven)
6. 20:
: ...
(Twenty)
7. 55:
: ...
(Fifty-five)
8. 72:
: ...
(Seventy-two)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Ich habe _____ Euro auf meinem Konto.

(I have _____ euros in my account.)

2. Wir haben _____ Euro für das Projekt.

(We have _____ euros for the project.)

3. Der Preis beträgt _____ Euro.

(The price is _____ euros.)

4. Das Gebäude hat _____ Fenster.

(The building has _____ windows.)

5. Ich brauche _____ Stühle für die Konferenz.

(I need _____ chairs for the conference.)

6. Wir erwarten _____ Kunden im nächsten Jahr.

(We expect _____ customers next year.)

Lesson Overview: Numbers from 20 to 99 in German

This lesson introduces you to the structure and pronunciation of German numbers ranging from 20 to 99. You will learn how to combine tens and units, recognize their patterns, and become familiar with common examples to enhance your counting skills.

Understanding the Tens

German numbers for tens (20, 30, 40, etc.) have distinct base forms, some of which change slightly from their root numbers. For instance:

  • 20 - Zwanzig
  • 30 - Dreißig
  • 40 - Vierzig
  • 50 - Fünfzig
  • 60 - Sechzig
  • 70 - Siebzig
  • 80 - Achtzig
  • 90 - Neunzig

Forming Numbers Between Tens

Numbers between these tens are formed by combining the unit first, followed by “und” (meaning “and”), and then the ten. This differs from English where the ten comes first. Examples include:

  • 25: Fünfundzwanzig (five and twenty)
  • 34: Vierunddreißig (four and thirty)
  • 46: Sechsundvierzig (six and forty)
  • 61: Einundsechzig (one and sixty)

Notice that for the digit one, ein is used instead of eins when combined, e.g. einunddreißig (31) instead of einsunddreißig.

Key Details to Remember

  • Units precede tens when saying numbers (unit + und + ten).
  • The conjunction “und” connects units and tens.
  • For 1 in compound numbers, use ein not eins.
  • Tens have special spelling in some cases (e.g., “Dreißig” for 30, not “Dreissig”).

Differences from English Numbering

Unlike English, where tens come first (e.g., twenty-five), German places the unit before the ten connected by “und”, similar to a reversed order: fünfundzwanzig literally means “five and twenty.” This structure can seem unusual at first but is consistent across all numbers between 21 and 99.

Useful Vocabulary and Phrases

  • und – and (used between units and tens)
  • ein – one (used in compounds like „einundzwanzig“)
  • zehn – ten
  • zwanzig – twenty
  • einundzwanzig – twenty-one
  • fünfundvierzig – forty-five

Summary

By mastering the pattern of unit + und + ten and memorizing the key tens, you will confidently count all numbers from 20 to 99 in German. Practice listening and pronouncing these numbers regularly to build fluency.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 01:35