Numbers in Dutch

Numbers in Dutch

Learning the numbers in Dutch is useful for shopping, prices, addresses, telephone numbers, dates and many other everyday situations in the Netherlands.

In this guide you will find the most useful Dutch numbers, larger numbers and ordinal numbers, together with an approximate pronunciation designed for English speakers.

The pronunciation is only a guide. Some Dutch sounds do not have an exact equivalent in English, so these phonetic spellings are best used as a first step before listening to native Dutch pronunciation.

If you want to start with more general expressions, see our guide to basic Dutch phrases.

Basic numbers in Dutch

Tens and larger numbers in Dutch

How Dutch numbers are formed

Dutch numbers above twenty can seem unusual at first because the units are normally said before the tens.

For example:

21 – eenentwintig literally follows the pattern “one-and-twenty”.
24 – vierentwintig follows the pattern “four-and-twenty”.
38 – achtendertig follows the pattern “eight-and-thirty”.

Once you understand this pattern, forming most numbers becomes much easier.

Ordinal numbers in Dutch

Ordinal numbers are used for positions and sequences such as first, second, third or tenth.

Where will you use Dutch numbers?

You will encounter Dutch numbers constantly in everyday life: prices in shops, house numbers, telephone numbers, train platforms, dates, appointment times and queue numbers.

Learning at least the numbers from zero to twenty and the main tens — thirty, forty, fifty and so on — will make many everyday situations much easier.

If you are also learning how to ask and tell the time, continue with our guide to telling the time in Dutch.

More basic Dutch phrases and vocabulary

Continue learning with our other basic Dutch guides:

Basic Dutch | Food | Shopping | Days and months | At the doctor | Hotel | Time

Do you want to learn Dutch in Rotterdam?

Learning numbers is a useful first step, but if you want to progress faster you can combine daily practice with language classes and conversation activities.

See our guide on where to learn Dutch in Rotterdam, with language schools, NT2 courses, free options and resources for practising Dutch.