Day 2: Numbers 1-100, asking and answering questions about age
Overview
Self-Study Topic | Duration: 25–30 minutes
Level: Absolute Beginner
OBJECTIVE
By the end of this topic, you will be able to:
✔ Count from 1 to 100 in German.
✔ Ask and answer “How old are you?” formally (Sie) and informally (du).
✔ Recognize number patterns to build fluency quickly.
✔ Pronounce consonant clusters and diphthongs.
CONTENT
1. Self-check
Regular self-testing helps retain new knowledge and skills. Before proceeding with the new topic, check what you have learned so far.
Alphabet and pronunciation
Use your mobile phone to record the following:
- Spell your full name in German.
- Pronounce the consonant cluster ch in two different ways:
- soft ch (ich)
- guttural ch (Bach)
- Say the sound ß in the word Straße (street)
- Listen to the alphabet recording to check your answers:
Formal and informal greetings
2. Learn the German Numbers 1-100
Step 1: Numbers 1-20 (Learn these first!)
- Study the numbers in the table below.
- Listen to the audio clip to hear each number pronounced.
- You may pause the recording or rewind whenever necessary.
- Repeat the numbers. You will find additional pronunciation advice in the table.
Click here for advice on HOW TO PRACTICE
- Listen & Repeat: Play audio and mimic each number 3x
- Pattern Notice:
- Teens (13-19) end with “-zehn” (“ten”)
- 16 & 17 drop letters from base numbers (“sech-” not “sechs-“, “sieb-” not “sieben-“)
- Memory Tricks:
- “Fünf” (5): Hold up 5 fingers and say “foonf” (the ‘ü’ needs rounded lips)
- “Acht” (8): Imagine an OCTopus with 8 legs (but say “ahkt”)
- “Zwölf” (12): Think “twelve” with a German accent (“tsvoolf”)
- Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- ✗ Saying “zwee” instead of “tsv-eye” for 2
- ✗ Pronouncing “sechs” (6) with “sh” sound (it’s “zeks”)
- ✗ Forgetting to round lips for “fünf” (5) and “zwölf” (12)
| Number | German | Pronunciation (English Approximation) | Memory Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eins | “eyens” | Rhymes with “mines” |
| 2 | zwei | “tsv-eye” | “ts” + “v-eye” |
| 3 | drei | “dry” | Same as English “dry” |
| 4 | vier | “feer” | Like English “fear” without ‘a’ |
| 5 | fünf | “foonf” | ‘ü’ sound like French “lune” |
| 6 | sechs | “zeks” | ‘ch’ sounds like ‘k’ here |
| 7 | sieben | “ZEE-ben” | Stress on first syllable |
| 8 | acht | “akht” | Guttural ‘ch’ (similar to ‘kh’) |
| 9 | neun | “noyn” | ‘eu’ sounds like “boy” |
| 10 | zehn | “tsayn” | ‘eh’ long ‘e’ like in English “ten” |
| 11 | elf | “elf” | Same as English “elf” |
| 12 | zwölf | “tsvoolf” | ‘ö’ like “i” in “girl” (UK) |
| 13 | dreizehn | “DRY-tsayn” | “dry” + “ten” |
| 14 | vierzehn | “FEER-tsayn” | “four” + “ten” |
| 15 | fünfzehn | “FOONF-tsayn” | “five” + “ten” |
| 16 | sechzehn | “ZEK-tsayn” | ‘ch’ becomes ‘k’ sound |
| 17 | siebzehn | “ZEEP-tsayn” | Note: “sieben” loses the ‘en’ |
| 18 | achtzehn | “AKHT-tsayn” | “eight” + “ten” |
| 19 | neunzehn | “NOYN-tsayn” | “nine” + “ten” |
| 20 | zwanzig | “TSVAHN-tsich“ | ‘zw’ like “tsv”, ‘ig’ like “ich” (soft ‘ch’) eller “ik” |
TEST YOURSELF
Step 2: Numbers 21-30 & Tens (30-100)
- Study the numbers in the table below.
- Listen to the audio clip to hear each number pronounced.
- You may pause the recording or rewind whenever necessary.
- Repeat the numbers. You will find additional pronunciation advice in the table.
Click HERE for learning tips.
Key Patterns to Notice:
- 21-29: Reverse word order (“one-and-twenty”) + und (and)
- Tens:
- 30 is dreißig (unique spelling)
- 40-90 end with -zig (pronounced “-tsich” – soft ch-sound)
- 60 & 70 drop letters: sechzig (not sechszig), siebzig (not siebenzig)
Practice tips:
- ✗ Pronouncing “-zig” like English “zig” is a mistake(say “-tsich“)
- Chunk it: Master 20-29 first, then apply the same pattern to 30-39, etc.
- Avoid these mistakes:
- ✗ “sechszig” (correct: sechzig)
- ✗ “siebenzig” (correct: siebzig)
| Number | German | Pronunciation (English Approximation) | Memory Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | einundzwanzig | “EYEN-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “one-and-twenty” |
| 22 | zweiundzwanzig | “TSVYE-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “two-and-twenty” |
| 23 | dreiundzwanzig | “DRY-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “three-and-twenty” |
| 24 | vierundzwanzig | “FEER-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “four-and-twenty” |
| 25 | fünfundzwanzig | “FOONF-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “five-and-twenty” (mind the ‘ü’ sound) |
| 26 | sechsundzwanzig | “ZEKS-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “six-and-twenty” |
| 27 | siebenundzwanzig | “ZEE-ben-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “seven-and-twenty” |
| 28 | achtundzwanzig | “AKHT-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “eight-and-twenty” |
| 29 | neunundzwanzig | “NOYN-oont-TSVAHN-tsich“ | “nine-and-twenty” |
| 30 | dreißig | “DRY-sich“ | Ends with “-sich” (not “-zig”) |
| 40 | vierzig | “FEER-tsich“ | “four-tsich“ |
| 50 | fünfzig | “FOONF-tsich“ | “five-tsich” (ü sound!) |
| 60 | sechzig | “ZEKH-tsich“ | Drops the ‘s’ from “sechs” |
| 70 | siebzig | “ZEEP-tsich“ | Drops the ‘en’ from “sieben” |
| 80 | achtzig | “AKHT-tsich“ | “eight-tsich“ |
| 90 | neunzig | “NOYN-tsich“ | “nine-tsich“ |
| 100 | hundert | “HOON-dert” | Similar to “hundred” with a German ‘u’ (“oo”) |
Learn German with Music
Listen to our educational song and sing along!
3. Asking & Answering About Age
Step 1: Key Phrases
- Study the phrases in the table.
- Then listen to the recording below it and repeat.
| Formal (Sie) | Informal (du) |
|---|---|
| Wie alt sind Sie? (How old are you?) | Wie alt bist du? (How old are you?) |
| Ich bin [number] Jahre alt. (I am [number] years old.) | Ich bin [number]. (I am [number] .) |
Cultural Note:
- Use Sie with adults you don’t know well; du with friends/children.
- It’s impolite to ask adults you don’t know well and women about their age, unless the situation requires that.
Step 2: Practice
Task 1
Write formal and informal questions and answers based on the flashcards below.
Imagine you are 18 years old and proceed in the following way:
- Ask everyone who is around your age or younger the informal question “Wie alt bist du?” and answer it informally, e.g., “Ich bin sieben.”
- Everyone older should be asked formally, “Wie alt sind Sie?” and the answer should be formal too, e.g., “Ich bin vierzig Jahre alt.”
Task 2
Use the he turning cards below to record yourself asking and answering formal and informal questions about age.
4. Pronunciation of consonant clusters and diphthongs
5. Homework & Preview FOR TOMORROW
Homework
- Writing: Write out numbers 1–20 and five ages (e.g., Ich bin achtzehn.).
- Listening: Watch Our Counting Song and sing along.
- Speaking: Record yourself counting from 1–10 and stating your age.
PREVIEW
Tomorrow, we’ll learn word order and more questions and answers for self-introduction.
Numbers are the backbone of communication.
word of encouragement
You’ll use them daily in Germany!