telwoorden grammar in Dutch

Language: Dutch
Level: B1
Unit: Zelfstandige naamwoorden en hoeveelheden
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

In Dutch, 'telwoorden' are words used for counting and expressing numbers. They are essential for talking about quantities, dates, prices, and order.

When to use it

Use 'telwoorden' in Dutch to count objects, mention amounts, talk about dates, give your age, or indicate the order of things (like first, second, third).

Key forms

Cardinal numbers: een, twee, drie, vier, vijf, enz.
Ordinal numbers: eerste, tweede, derde, vierde, vijfde, enz.

Examples

Ik heb drie boeken.

English: I have three books.

Zij is de tweede student.

English: She is the second student.

Vandaag is de vijfde juni.

English: Today is the fifth of June.

Er zijn tien mensen in de kamer.

English: There are ten people in the room.

Hij woont op de vierde verdieping.

English: He lives on the fourth floor.

Tips

Remember that 'een' (one) is different from 'één' (the number one). The accent is used for emphasis.
Ordinal numbers usually end with '-de' or '-ste' (e.g., derde, vierde, vijfde, zesde, tiende, twintigste).
Numbers from 21 to 99 are written as one word: 'drieëntwintig' (23), 'vijfendertig' (35).

Exceptions and edge cases

The ordinal numbers 'eerste' (first) and 'derde' (third) are irregular.
For numbers ending in -t or -d, the ending can change slightly (e.g., twintigste, achtste).