You may need to know how to count to 10 in German for travel, work, or just out of curiosity. Learning how to count in German is as easy as eins, zwei, drei ! German is a popular language and is spoken by more than 100 million people worldwide so this knowledge can be of use to you.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Understanding German Pronunciation
Step 1. Hold your mouth firmly while speaking
There is no point in learning German if it is not spoken correctly. Don't forget, German pronunciation has a lot of pressure on the cheek. In order to sound like true German, the mouth must be held in the right way.
- When you open your mouth, shape it as if to make a large “o” or a lowercase “u”.
- Try looking for videos on how to pronounce German so you know how to hold your mouth when you speak. Some consonants and vowels in German are also pronounced differently than in Indonesian.
Step 2. Learn how to pronounce vowels in German
Although German is similar to Indonesian, some vowels are pronounced differently. This is especially important when trying to count in German.
- In German, the combined vowel "ei" is pronounced "ai". For example, the German word “drei” means three. However, the pronunciation is "drai". Another example, the word “frei” which means freedom, is pronounced as “frai”.
- The opposite is true for the combined vowel "ie." This vowel combination is pronounced as an "i." Thus, the combined vowel "ie" in the word " vier” (four), is pronounced as "i"
- The combined vowel "eu" is pronounced as "oy" in German.
- If you look at the umlaut above the vowels, they are pronounced differently. The word “five” in German has an umlaut: " fünf ". The letter “ü” is pronounced like “i”, but with curled lips.
Step 3. Understand how to pronounce consonants in German
One of the keys to pronouncing German is in some of the consonants. Some consonants are pronounced similar to Indonesian, but some are not.
- The consonant "v" is pronounced like the sound "f". Therefore, make an "f" sound when you pronounce a "v," for example in the German word four.
- In German, the consonant “s” is pronounced as “z” when starting a word, for example “sieben” (which means seven).
- When pronouncing the letter "r" that ends a word, say it lightly like "ah." The letter "r" is also pronounced lightly when in the middle of a word. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth when you say "r".
- Thus, the word “vier” (four) in German is pronounced “fiah”. When the consonant "Z" begins a word, the pronunciation is "ts".
Part 2 of 3: Counting in German
Step 1. Start counting from 1-10 in German with the word “eins” (one)
“Eins” is pronounced as “ainz”. Counting in German will be easier if you already know how to pronounce key consonants and vowels.
Step 2. Say “zwei” which means two
In German, “zwei” is pronounced “tsvy.” The consonant "zw" is pronounced as "ts", instead of the usual "z" sound.
Step 3. Say " drei " which means three
Pronounce it as “drai”, with the letter “r” pronounced hoarse.
Step 4. Use the word “vier” for the number four
This word also has a different consonant sound. Pronounce “vier” as “fiah”.
Step 5. Say "fünf" for the number five
Pronounce something like "fuunf," and put a big accent on the "u" and make an elongated sound.
Step 6. Use the word " sechs " which means six
This time, you're using the "z" sound. Pronounce it as "zeks".
Step 7. Say the word “sieben” for the number seven
Pronounce it as “zibhen”. The "s" sound that begins a word is pronounced like a "z".
Step 8. Use the word " acht " for the word eight
Pronounce this word as “ahkt”
Step 9. Say “neun” for the number nine
Pronounce it as “noyn”.
Step 10. Complete your count with the word “zehn” which means ten
Don't forget, in German the letter "z" that starts the word is pronounced as "ts". Thus, the word di is pronounced as “tsehn”.
You may also need to know how to pronounce the word zero in German. Zero in German is “null”, but it is pronounced as “nuul”
Step 11. Understand how to count the numbers past 10
Once you've mastered basic German pronunciation, try counting past 10. This is pretty easy to do.
- Add the word " zehn " after each number from 13-19. For example, 19 is " neunzehn " and " achtzehn " is 18, and so on. The number 11 is “elf” and 12 is “zwölf.”
- The number 20 is " zwanzig." To count numbers over 20, start with 1-10, then add the word “und” (and) followed by “zwanzig." Thus, the number 21 is " einundzwanzig," which means "1 and 20" (the letters " s" in " eins " is omitted.) Do the same process for 22. Number 22 is " zweiundzwanzig." And so on until number 29.
- Follow the same process until the number 100. However, instead of zwanzig, add the word for 30 in German (" dreißig " - the letter is "ss" in German and is pronounced the same as "s" in English), 40 (" vierzig" - pronounced "fiahtsig'), 50 ("funfzig"), 60 ("sechzig"), 70 ("siebzig"), 80 ("achtzig"), and 90 ("neunzig"). Words for 100 in the language German is " (ein)hundert " (the "d" pronunciation is like "t" and "u" is "uu.")
Part 3 of 3: How to Learn German
Step 1. Find a native German speaker
One of the advantages of having the internet is that you can find native speakers of many foreign languages to practice with, including German.
- Various language sites on the internet will pair you with native speakers. Some also allow you to hear the pronunciation of the letters in German.
- Look for videos of German-speaking people on YouTube, including videos counting 1-10 so you can hear the correct pronunciation before trying to pronounce it. Some sites use music and songs to teach children and adults how to count in German.
Step 2. Take an online course at the university
German is a language that is often taught at the University. It should be fairly easy to find campuses that teach this language in big cities. If not, try searching the internet.
- You can record your voice while counting to 10 and play it back. this is one of the best ways to perfect your pronunciation.
- Traveling or living in Germany will greatly improve your German speaking skills. Speaking in a foreign language repeatedly to native speakers is one of the best ways to learn.
Tips
- German numbers are not capitalized unless they are converted to nouns, for example in "Si three …", or " Die Drei …"
- Try to memorize the first five numbers first, then continue with the last five numbers.
- If you're serious about learning more about counting in German, try looking for a German tutor or learning software.
- Try using memory cards.
