The German word for 11 is elf. It is a short, irregular number that starts the sequence from eleven to nineteen and appears in time, dates, and everyday counting.
11 (eleven) in German = elf, pronounced approximately elf.
How Do You Say 11 (eleven) in German?
German uses elf for eleven. Unlike numbers such as einundzwanzig, it is a standalone form that must simply be memorized.
Meaning: eleven
Use elf before plural nouns for quantities and in the 24-hour clock. The ordinal “eleventh” is elfte, and a clock time can be expressed as um elf.
Different Ways to Express 11 (eleven)
The cardinal form is short, but ordinals, hours, and number compounds use distinct patterns.
1. Elf — the cardinal number
elf — eleven. This is the standard number for counting, following zehn, “ten”. It does not change with the gender of a noun.
2. Elfte — eleventh
der elfte Mai — May eleventh. The ordinal form is elfte. Like other German ordinals, its ending can change when the grammar requires it.
3. Um elf — at eleven
um elf Uhr — at eleven o’clock. Use um elf or um elf Uhr to state a scheduled time. The latter explicitly includes the word for hour.
4. Elf Bücher — eleven books
elf Bücher — eleven books. The number is followed by the plural noun. Bücher is the plural of Buch.
11 (eleven) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| elf | eleven | Counting and quantities |
| der elfte Mai | May eleventh | Dates and order |
| um elf Uhr | at eleven o’clock | Telling time |
| elf Bücher | eleven books | Number with plural nouns |
How to Pronounce elf
German elf sounds close to “elf.” The initial e is a short vowel, and the final f is clearly pronounced. Keep it distinct from zwölf (“twelve”), which has a rounded ö vowel and final lf consonant group.
Example Sentences Using 11 (eleven)
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: I have eleven books.
Use: Use the plural noun after elf.
Meaning: The class begins at eleven o’clock.
Use: Um marks the scheduled time.
Meaning: She was born on May eleventh.
Use: Dates use the inflected ordinal form.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11 (eleven) in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you say eleven in German?
The word is elf.
How do you say eleventh?
Use elfte, with an ending that may inflect according to the sentence.
How do you say eleven o’clock?
Say um elf or um elf Uhr for “at eleven.”
Does elf change for gender?
No. The cardinal number elf remains the same.
How do you pronounce elf?
It is pronounced roughly like English “elf,” with a short initial e and a clear final f.
Summary: 11 (eleven) in German
The German cardinal number 11 is elf. Use elfte for eleventh, um elf for at eleven, and a plural noun after the cardinal form.
