Counting In Dutch: A Beginner's Guide To Dutch Numbers [2025]

If you're learning Dutch and start strong with "een, twee, drie…", only to panic right after tien — you're not alone. Dutch numbers can feel confusing once you hit the 20s, but the truth is that there's a simple pattern behind them.

Once you get how the system works, you can build any number you want — even long ones like drieënnegentig (93) or tweehonderdzevenentachtig (287).

This guide walks you through Dutch numbers step by step, from zero to the thousands. You’ll learn the rules, the pronunciation, and how to actually use these numbers in real life — all without memorizing a list a mile long.

Dutch Numbers 0-10

Let’s start with the foundation — the numbers from zero to ten. These are the building blocks for everything else, so it’s worth getting familiar with them early.

Here’s a quick reference with pronunciation:

Take a moment to read these out loud and get used to the rhythm. A few of the sounds — like zes (six) and tien (ten) — will feel familiar to English speakers. Others, like twee (two) or acht (eight), have more distinct Dutch sounds. The "ui" and "ij" vowels in later numbers can take some practice, but you’ll get there.

Dutch Numbers 11-19

Once you’re confident with 0–10, it’s time to tackle the next tier: 11 through 19. These numbers start to show the structure that Dutch sticks with all the way up to 100.

From 13 onward, Dutch numbers are built by combining the unit first, followed by tien (ten). So dertien (13) literally means three-ten — which feels flipped if you’re used to English’s “thirteen.”

Here’s the full list:

As you can see, this "unit-before-ten" structure sets the stage for what’s coming next — and if you're thinking, “Wait, doesn’t German do this too?” — you’re absolutely right. This is a common pattern in Germanic languages.

Numbers 20-99

From here on out, Dutch numbers follow a consistent and logical pattern — but it’s the reverse of English. Instead of saying “twenty-one,” Dutch says one-and-twenty → eenentwintig.

Basically, you need to follow this structure: [unit] + en (and) + [tens]

So:

• 21 = eenentwintig → one and twenty
• 34 = vierendertig → four and thirty
• 56 = zesenvijftig → six and fifty
• 99 = negenennegentig → nine and ninety

There’s no space between the parts, even though it’s built from multiple components.

When the unit ends in a vowel (like twee or drie), Dutch adds a diaeresis (¨) to show that “en” is a separate syllable:

• 22 = tweeëntwintig
• 33 = drieëndertig

This keeps the pronunciation clear — and while it might look strange at first, you'll start to recognize the rhythm quickly.

Hundreds In Dutch

Once you’ve mastered the 20–99 pattern, adding hundreds is easy. The rule is simple: [number of hundreds] + honderd + rest of the number

Here are some examples:

• 100 = honderd
• 101 = honderdéén
• 152 = honderdtweeënvijftig
• 365 = driehonderdvijfenzestig

Notice that there’s no “and” after the hundred in Dutch — unlike in English, where we often say “one hundred and one.” In Dutch, you go straight from honderd into the next part of the number.

Here’s how that looks in practice:

Once you’ve got the pattern down, you can build any number up to 999 using the same logic — nothing new to memorize, just plug the pieces together.

Thousands and Beyond In Dutch

Once you pass 999, Dutch keeps things consistent. Larger numbers are built the same way: stack the components in order from largest to smallest. Follow this structure: [thousands] + duizend + [hundreds] + [rest of the number]

A few examples:

• 1,000 = duizend
• 2,000 = tweeduizend
• 1,001 = duizendéén
• 21,465 = eenentwintigduizendvierhonderdvijfenzestig

Here’s how some of those look:

Even for large numbers, Dutch follows a predictable formula. It can look overwhelming at first, but once you’ve broken it down, it’s just a matter of reading from left to right.

Ordinal Numbers In Dutch

Ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) are used to describe position or order. In Dutch, they’re formed by taking the base number and adding either -de or -ste to the end.

Here’s the general rule:

• Use -de for most numbers up to 19
• Use -ste for numbers ending in 0 or from 20 upward

These endings are used for dates, rankings, birthdays, floors of buildings, and anything else where order matters.

Practical Uses of Numbers in Dutch

Now that you know how to count in Dutch, let's look at some practical situations where you'll use these numbers:

Telling Time

• 3:00 - Het is drie uur (It is three o'clock)
• 3:15 - Het is kwart over drie (It is quarter past three)
• 3:30 - Het is half vier (It is half to four) ← Note this Dutch peculiarity!
• 3:45 - Het is kwart voor vier (It is quarter to four)

Money

• €5,50 - vijf euro vijftig (five euros fifty)
• €21,75 - eenentwintig euro vijfenzeventig (twenty-one euros seventy-five)

Age

• Ik ben achtentwintig jaar oud (I am twenty-eight years old)
• Mijn zoon is drie jaar oud (My son is three years old)

Phone Numbers

Dutch phone numbers are usually grouped in pairs:

• 06-12-34-56-78 would be pronounced: nul-zes, twaalf, vierendertig, zesenvijftig, achtenzeventig

Ready To Learn Dutch?

Mastering numbers in Dutch is an essential step in your language journey. While some aspects might seem unusual at first—like saying units before tens or using "half four" to mean 3:30—these patterns will become second nature with practice.

Ready to take your Dutch learning beyond numbers? Try Lingopie to immerse yourself in authentic Dutch content with interactive features that make learning fun and effective! With Lingopie, you can practice counting in Dutch, and you develop a well-rounded understanding of how numbers are used in everyday conversations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dutch Numbers

Why are some numbers pronounced differently/reversed?

It's not really backwards—it's just a different pattern! Many Germanic languages, including Dutch and German, place the units before the tens (21 = one-and-twenty). English actually used to follow this pattern too (think of "four-and-twenty blackbirds" in the nursery rhyme), but English evolved to reverse the order while Dutch maintained the traditional Germanic number pattern.

What’s the deal with Dutch time-telling? Why is 3:30 “half four”?

This is one of those charming Dutch quirks! In Dutch time-telling, "half" (half) refers to "half an hour before" the next hour. So "half vier" (half four) means half an hour before four, or 3:30. Think of it as being halfway to the next hour rather than halfway past the previous hour. Once you get used to this concept, it actually becomes quite intuitive!

Do Dutch speakers really say all those long compound numbers in everyday speech?

Yes, they do! Numbers like "negenennegentig" (99) or "driehonderdvijfenzestig" (365) might look intimidating on paper, but Dutch speakers pronounce them fluently with practice. Remember that these compound numbers follow consistent patterns, making them easier to process mentally once you're familiar with the system.

Are there any shortcuts for learning Dutch numbers?

Absolutely! Start by mastering 1-20 and the tens (10, 20, 30, etc.). Then practice combining them using the "units-and-tens" pattern. Using number flashcards or counting games can make learning more enjoyable. Many Dutch learners find that practicing phone numbers is particularly helpful, as it forces you to combine individual digits in meaningful chunks.

What's the best way to practice Dutch numbers in real-life situations?

Start by incorporating numbers into your daily routine: count objects around you, read license plates in Dutch, or set your phone to Dutch and practice reading the time. Watching Dutch content on Lingopie is especially effective because you'll hear native speakers using numbers naturally in context—whether they're discussing prices, telling time, or sharing phone numbers.