Danish Numbers: Learn How to Count in Danish Fast

Danish numbers are a must-learn if you’re planning to communicate in Denmark. You’ll need them for prices, telling time, and everyday interactions. This guide covers the basics: their structure, pronunciation, and how to use them effectively.

Basic Danish Numbers 

Numbers 0-10

Danish numerals start with the basics: 0 to 10. These numbers are essential for grasping pronunciation and everyday use. While they’re straightforward, their pronunciations vary across Danish dialects, so you need to attention to the differences.

Numbers 11-20

Danish numbers 11-20 include unique terms that break the pattern, like English “eleven” and “twelve.” From 13 onwards, they follow a consistent structure, combining the base number with the suffix “-ten,” similar to “-teen” in English.

• 11: elleve
• 12: tolv
• 13: tretten
• 14: fjorten
• 15: femten
• 16: seksten
• 17: sytten
• 18: atten
• 19: nitten

Tens (20-90

Danish numbers use a base-10 system, but the tens from 50 to 90 follow a base-20 (vigesimal) structure. For example:

• 20: tyve
• 30: tredive
• 40: fyrre
• 50: halvtreds (short for “halvtredje-sinds-tyve,” meaning “two and a half times twenty” or 2.5 × 20 = 50)
• 60: tres (short for “tre-sinds-tyve,” meaning “three times twenty” or 3 × 20 = 60)
• 70: halvfjerds (short for “halvfjerdsindstyve,” meaning “three and a half times twenty” or 3.5 × 20 = 70)
• 80: firs (short for “fire-sinds-tyve,” meaning “four times twenty” or 4 × 20 = 80)
• 90: halvfems (short for “halvfemsindstyve,” meaning “four and a half times twenty” or 4.5 × 20 = 90)

Hundreds and Thousands

Danish numbers for hundreds and thousands build on the same patterns as smaller numbers, with some quirks. Numbers are formed by combining the base number with “hundrede” for hundreds and “tusind” for thousands. For example:

• 100: et hundrede
• 200: to hundrede
• 1,000: et tusind
• 2,000: to tusind

Danish numbers over 1000 follow the same decimal structure. Larger numbers contain terms like “million” for million and “milliard” for billion.

Ordinal Danish Numbers

Ordinal numbers indicate position or order and are formed by adding specific endings. Examples are:

• 1st: første
• 2nd: anden
• 3rd: tredje
• 4th: fjerde
• 5th: femte
• 6th: sjette
• 7th: syvende
• 8th: ottende
• 9th: niende
• 10th: tiende

Combining Danish Numbers

For numbers between the tens, Danish places the unit before the ten, connected by “og” (and). Fir example: 

• 21: enogtyve (one and twenty)
• 37: syvogtredive (seven and thirty)
• 58: otteoghalvtreds (eight and fifty)

Practical Applications of Danish Numbers

• Telling Time: Danish uses the 24-hour clock in formal settings, so 15:00 is “klokken femten.” In casual conversation, the 12-hour format is implied. “Halv” means half an hour before the next hour, so “halv fem” is 4:30.  
• Shopping: Prices and quantities usually contain Danish numbers. For example, “to kopper kaffe” means “two cups of coffee.”  
• Currency: Prices in Denmark are in kroner (kr), with commas as decimal points (e.g., 17,50 kr for 17.50 DKK). Rounded prices are common in everyday transactions.  
• Phone Numbers: Danish phone numbers are spoken in pairs. For example, “29725632” is said as “niogtyve tooghalvfjerds seksoghalvtreds toogtredive.”  

Final Thoughts on Danish Numbers 

Danish numbers might seem complicated at first, but they follow clear patterns once you break them down. Whether you’re counting, telling time, or handling prices, a solid grasp of these numbers will make daily life in Denmark much easier. Practice the basics, listen for pronunciation cues, and you’ll pick it up faster than you think.

More Articles to Explore

• A  Free Guide to the Danish Alphabet
• Learning Danish: Powerful Tips and Tricks for Mastering It
• Danish Phrases and Sayings You NEED to Know

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