Unlock the Mystery of Dutch Numbers with Ease
Embarking on the journey to learn a new language is thrilling, and Dutch is no exception! Among the first steps, grasping the numbering system is crucial. Whether for travel, business, or pleasure, knowing how to count in Dutch can be both practical and satisfying. In this guide, we’ll navigate through the ins and outs of Dutch numbers to help you learn quickly and efficiently.
Counting in Dutch The Basics
The foundation of Dutch numbers is similar to English, making it less intimidating for beginners. Numbers in Dutch – called ‘getallen’ – follow a decimal system. Let’s start off by learning the digits from 0 to 10:
- 0 nul
- 1 een
- 2 twee
- 3 drie
- 4 vier
- 5 vijf
- 6 zes
- 7 zeven
- 8 acht
- 9 negen
- 10 tien
Building Blocks of Dutch Numbers
Once you’ve mastered the first ten numbers, you’re ready to build higher numbers. Dutch numbers from 11 to 19 are made by adding ‘-tien’ to the base digit, and they can be a bit tricky as they’re not always directly comparable to their English counterparts. Here are a few examples:
- 11 elf
- 12 twaalf
- 13 dertien
- …and so on up to 19 negentien.
Moving on to the tens, 20 through 90 are formed by adding ‘-tig’ to the digit before it. However, note that there are a few irregularities:
- 20 twintig
- 30 dertig
- …keep in mind that 20 is not ‘twee-tig’ but ‘twintig’.
- 90 negentig
Composing Complex Numbers
The Dutch language has a unique twist when forming numbers above 20. Unlike English, where we say “twenty-one”, in Dutch, you switch the order to what translates to “one-and-twenty” – ‘eenentwintig’. Here’s how you can create numbers 21 through 29 as an example:
- 21 eenentwintig
- 22 tweeëntwintig
- 23 drieëntwintig
- …and this pattern continues for the rest of the numbers.
Key Milestones in Dutch Numbers
Highlighting the hundreds, ‘honderd’, and thousands, ‘duizend’, in Dutch follows a straightforward pattern:
- 100 honderd
- 200 tweehonderd
- 1000 duizend
- 2000 tweeduizend
Just add the number in front of ‘honderd’ or ‘duizend’ to form the complete number.
Special Number Characteristics
Some interesting peculiarities in the Dutch number system to watch out for include:
- The number “one” has two forms, ‘een’ or ‘één’. ‘Een’ is used in counting, while ‘één’ is used when you need to emphasize the number one.
- When writing large numbers, Dutch uses a period instead of a comma to separate thousands, and a comma instead of a dot for decimals.
Practical Uses of Dutch Numbers in Everyday Life
Now that you’re familiar with the Dutch number system, how about we put that knowledge to practical use? Here are a few scenarios where knowing your Dutch numbers will come in handy:
- Shopping: Understanding prices is essential. For example, ‘Dat kost vijfentwintig euro en vijftig cent’ means “That costs 25 euros and 50 cents”.
- Time: Being able to tell time, like ‘Het is nu half drie’ – “It’s now half past two”, is incredibly useful.
- Appointments: Whether it’s a date or a business meeting, ‘We ontmoeten elkaar om veertien uur’ or “We are meeting at 14:00”, being punctual is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say “0” in Dutch?
In Dutch, zero is referred to as ‘nul’.
What is the Dutch word for “100”?
One hundred in Dutch is ‘honderd’.
How are decimals pronounced in Dutch?
Decimals are expressed using ‘komma’, so for instance, 1.5 would be ‘één komma vijf’.
Concluding Your Dutch Numbers Expedition
With this guide, you’ve unlocked the fundamental elements of Dutch numbers. Practice regularly, and soon counting in Dutch will become second nature. Incorporating these new skills in daily life situations will fast-track your language learning journey. Good luck, or as the Dutch say, ‘Veel succes met het leren van Nederlandse getallen!’
Download CHATMUNK for free to practice speaking in foreign languages