German word

zwölf

Pronunciation

IPA/tsvœlf/

Meaning

  • numbertwelve

Example

Das Produkt kostet zwölf Euro.

The product costs twelve euros.

Illustration for zwölf (twelve)

More examples

Das Team hat zwölf Personen.

The team has twelve people.

Core concept

A full group of ten with two additional units completing the count.

Common phrases

  • zwölf Euro

    twelve euros

  • um zwölf Uhr

    at twelve o'clock

  • zwölf Personen

    twelve people

Similar words

zehn: The number representing one full group of ten.
elf: The number reached with ten and one additional unit.
zwanzig: The number representing two full groups of ten.

Definition in German

Die Zahl zwischen elf und dreizehn.

Word origin

German zwölf developed from Old High German zwelif and Proto-Germanic *twalif, traditionally understood as 'two left' after ten.

Usage tips

  • As a cardinal numeral, zwölf is normally lowercase and does not change for gender, case, or number.

Related words

  • zwölftetwelfthadjective
  • zwölfmaltwelve timesadverb

Word lists with this word