Mastering the pronunciation of numbers in German involves navigating various linguistic intricacies that extend beyond basic counting. While elementary numerals may be straightforward, certain expressions—particularly years, large quantities, and specific numerical constructs—require a more nuanced understanding.
When articulating years, German often employs a structure that differs from simple cardinal numbers. For example, the year 1989 is pronounced "neunzehnhundertneunundachtzig," literally translating to "nineteen hundred nine and eighty." This method combines the hundreds with the remaining two-digit number, reflecting a historical pattern in the language. In contrast, years in the new millennium, such as 2015, are typically expressed as "zweitausendfünfzehn," meaning "two thousand fifteen." Unlike English, which might split the year into two pairs of numbers (e.g., "twenty fifteen"), German maintains a more direct approach.
Large numbers present another area where pronunciation demands careful attention. German compounds numbers into single words, which can become quite lengthy. For instance, the number 2,345 is "zweitausenddreihundertfünfundvierzig," combining "zweitausend" (two thousand), "dreihundert" (three hundred), and "fünfundvierzig" (five and forty). The language's propensity for creating compound words requires fluency in pronouncing these extended terms.
Decimals and fractions introduce additional complexity. The decimal point in German is referred to as "Komma," and the digits following it are read individually. Thus, the number 6.28 is pronounced "sechs Komma zwei acht." Fractions use specific terms, with 1/2 expressed as "ein Halb" and 3/8 as "drei Achtel."
Ordinal numbers themselves require particular attention due to their grammatical agreement with nouns. They are formed by adding "-te" (for numbers up to 19) or "-ste" (for numbers 20 and above) to the cardinal number. Additionally, the endings change based on the gender, case, and number of the noun they modify. For example, "the first man" is "der erste Mann," "the first woman" is "die erste Frau," and "the first child" is "das erste Kind." In the accusative case, these become "den ersten Mann," "die erste Frau," and "das erste Kind," showing changes in the ending for masculine nouns.
Sequences such as telephone numbers are typically enunciated digit by digit to ensure clarity. A number like 5678 would be read as "fünf sechs sieben acht," with each numeral pronounced separately. This practice extends to other identification numbers, like credit card number for example.
Percentages incorporate the word "Prozent," so 75% is "fünfundsiebzig Prozent." Similarly, when discussing measurements, the unit of measure is explicitly stated. For example, 20 cm is "zwanzig Zentimeter," and 5 L is "fünf Liter."
It's also important to note the differences in naming large numbers. The German term "Milliarde" corresponds to the English "billion," while "Billion" in German means "trillion" in English.