Numbers 1–100 and Simple Math

Introduction to German Numbers

In German, numbers (Zahlen) play a fundamental role in daily communication. To get started, let’s understand the German number system for the numbers from 1 to 100. Once you know the basic pattern, you’ll be able to form any number up to 100 easily!

Numbers 1-20

The first step is to learn the numbers from 1 to 20, as these do not follow strict rules and need to be memorized.

Numbers 21-100

After 20, the numbers in German follow a predictable pattern. The structure is [unit] + und + [tens]. For example, 21 is “einundzwanzig” (one-and-twenty).

Examples

• 21: einundzwanzig
• 32: zweiunddreißig
• 45: fünfundvierzig
• 58: achtundfünfzig
• 67: siebenundsechzig
• 79: neunundsiebzig
• 88: achtundachtzig
• 93: dreiundneunzig

Full List of Tens

The tens place numbers are as follows:

Practicing Counting with Exercises

Exercise 1: Say the following numbers in German.

• 23
• 37
• 49
• 56
• 64
• 72
• 85
• 91

Exercise 2: Write out the numbers from 15 to 30 in German.

Exercise 3: Translate these sentences:

• “I am 25 years old.”
• “The bus arrives in 35 minutes.”
• “There are 19 students in the class.”

Basic Math Vocabulary and Operations

Now, let’s add some basic math vocabulary to use numbers in practical sentences. Here are the primary terms you’ll need:

Simple Math Sentences

Let’s put these words into practice with some simple math problems in German:

Addition Examples

• 5 + 3 = 8
  German: fünf plus drei ist gleich acht
• 10 + 7 = 17
  German: zehn plus sieben ist gleich siebzehn

Subtraction Examples

• 9 – 4 = 5
  German: neun minus vier ist gleich fünf
• 20 – 6 = 14
  German: zwanzig minus sechs ist gleich vierzehn

Multiplication Examples

• 4 x 3 = 12
  German: vier mal drei ist gleich zwölf
• 5 x 2 = 10
  German: fünf mal zwei ist gleich zehn

Division Examples

• 20 ÷ 4 = 5
  German: zwanzig geteilt durch vier ist gleich fünf
• 18 ÷ 3 = 6
  German: achtzehn geteilt durch drei ist gleich sechs

Practice Exercises

Exercise 4: Translate these math problems into German:

• 6 + 6 = 12
• 15 – 5 = 10
• 3 x 4 = 12
• 24 ÷ 8 = 3

Exercise 5: Complete the sentences in German:

• “Four plus three equals ___.”
• “Nine minus five equals ___.”
• “Seven times two equals ___.”
• “Twenty divided by four equals ___.”

Conversational Practice with Numbers

Numbers are useful in many daily life scenarios, such as discussing age, time, money, and quantities.

Examples

• “Ich bin 29 Jahre alt.” – I am 29 years old.
• “Es kostet 35 Euro.” – It costs 35 euros.
• “Das Meeting beginnt um 14 Uhr.” – The meeting begins at 2 PM.

Practice Exercise: Using Numbers in Sentences

Translate and then say out loud these sentences:

1. “The train leaves at 7:30.”
2. “There are 15 people at the party.”
3. “He is 45 years old.”
4. “This item costs 99 euros.”

Review and Reinforcement

To reinforce your learning, try these review exercises:

Exercise 6: Count from 1 to 100 by tens (10, 20, 30, etc.) in German.

Exercise 7: Solve these math problems and say them in German:

1. 45 + 23 = ?
2. 76 – 31 = ?
3. 9 x 8 = ?
4. 100 ÷ 20 = ?