German Conversation · Level 1
85 words
German word
elf
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛlf/
Meaning
- numbereleven
Example
In der Klasse sind elf Kinder.
There are eleven children in the class.
More examples
Der Bus kommt um elf Uhr.
The bus comes at eleven o'clock.
Core concept
Ten complete marks are followed by a single new mark, making the next count.
Common phrases
elf Kinder
eleven children
um elf Uhr
at eleven o'clock
elf Jahre alt
eleven years old
Similar words
zehn: A total of ten items.
zwölf: A total of twelve items.
eins: A total of one item.
Definition in German
Zahl, die zehn plus eins ausdrückt
Word origin
The Germanic ancestor of elf combined the ideas of 'one' and 'left over', referring to the unit remaining after ten.
Usage tips
- German uses the inherited form elf rather than a transparent form such as einzehn for 11.
Related words
- elfteeleventhordinal number
- elfjährigeleven-year-oldadjective
- elfmaleleven timesadverb