The German word for 10 is zehn. It is the final number in the basic one-to-ten sequence and appears in many everyday quantities.
10 (ten) in German = zehn, pronounced approximately tsayn.
How Do You Say 10 (ten) in German?
Zehn means “ten.” It follows neun (nine) and comes before elf (eleven) in the German counting sequence.
Meaning: ten (the number 10)
Use zehn before a plural noun for a quantity: zehn Minuten means “ten minutes.” The ordinal “tenth” is zehnte and takes an ending according to its grammatical use.
Different Ways to Express 10 (ten)
The cardinal number is straightforward. Learn its pronunciation and distinguish it from the ordinal form.
1. Zehn — the number 10
zehn — ten. This is the standard cardinal number used when counting or stating a quantity.
2. Zehn Minuten — ten minutes
zehn Minuten — ten minutes. Zehn gives the quantity, and the plural noun Minuten is capitalized as a German noun.
3. Nummer zehn — number ten
Nummer zehn — number ten. Use it to identify a numbered place, item, or participant.
4. Der zehnte — the tenth
der zehnte — the tenth. Zehnte is the ordinal form. Its ending changes with gender, case, and article.
10 (ten) in German: Quick Comparison
Use this comparison to choose the form that best fits your sentence. Pay attention to whether you are counting, describing a quality, or referring to a particular situation.
| German | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| zehn | ten | Basic counting |
| zehn Minuten | ten minutes | Time and quantities |
| Nummer zehn | number ten | Labels and identification |
| der zehnte | the tenth | Order and dates |
How to Pronounce zehn
Zehn is pronounced approximately “tsayn.” The initial German z is a ts sound, and the vowel is a diphthong. Do not pronounce the h as a separate consonant.
Example Sentences Using 10 (ten)
Read each example aloud and notice how the surrounding words give the phrase its exact meaning. The English translation is natural rather than a strict word-for-word rendering.
Meaning: We are waiting ten minutes.
Use: Zehn describes the length of time.
Meaning: She paid ten euros.
Use: Use zehn for the amount.
Meaning: Today is June tenth.
Use: Zehnte is an ordinal.
Frequently Asked Questions About 10 (ten) in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you spell ten in German?
It is spelled zehn.
How is <em>zehn</em> pronounced?
A useful approximation is “tsayn”; the German z begins with a ts sound.
Does <em>zehn</em> change before feminine nouns?
No. The cardinal number remains zehn regardless of noun gender.
What is “the tenth” in German?
Use zehnte with the ending required by the noun and sentence.
How do you say ten minutes?
Say zehn Minuten.
Summary: 10 (ten) in German
The number 10 is zehn, pronounced roughly “tsayn.” Use it unchanged for quantities, and use an inflected ordinal such as der zehnte when referring to the tenth item or date.
