Basic numbers — Numbers

Eins

One

The 'ei' in 'eins' is pronounced like the 'i' in 'mine'.

In Germany, showing the number one with your index finger is a common way to indicate 'one'.

Zwei

Two

The 'z' is pronounced like 'ts' in 'tsunami'.

The thumb is used to signify the number two in Germany when counting with fingers.

Drei

Three

The 'd' in 'drei' is hard, similar to 'dray'.

In conversations, 'dreimal' (three times) is often used in Germany to express a strong agreement or affirmation.

Vier

Four

Pronounce 'vier' like 'fear' but with a softer 'v'.

Numbers are critical in ordering any food, such as 'vier Brötchen' (four bread rolls).

Fünf

Five

The umlaut 'ü' is pronounced like 'ue' in French 'rue'.

'Fünf' can be tricky, but knowing it is useful for telling time, like 'fünf Uhr' (five o'clock).

Sechs

Six

The 'ch' in 'sechs' is a breathy sound, as in 'Bach'.

Germans love 'Sechs im Lotto', a lottery game where picking six correct numbers can lead to big winnings.

Sieben

Seven

'Sieben' sounds close to 'zeeben'.

In Grimm's fairy tales, the number seven often appears, like in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'.

Acht

Eight

The 'ch' is a hard sound, like in Scottish 'loch'.

'Acht' is often associated with the 'Achtbahn', a roller coaster in Germany.

Neun

Nine

'Neun' sounds like 'noin'.

The Berlin Wall (Berliner Mauer) fell on November 9th, a memorable date in German history.