The number 16 in German is sechzehn. It is written as one word and pronounced roughly ZEKH-tsayn. The spelling combines the word for six with “ten,” but the final s of sechs is dropped.
16 = sechzehn (ZEKH-tsayn)
How Do You Say 16 in German?
Meaning and Pronunciation
German sechzehn has two syllables and stress on the first: SEKH-tsayn. The ch is the German sound after a, o, or u, made near the back of the mouth. The vowel in zehn is long.
Meaning: I am sixteen years old.
Different Ways to Use Sechzehn
How the Number Is Formed
Spelling Pattern
German 16 is not spelled sechszehn. When the numbers six and ten form this number, the final s in sechs disappears, giving sechzehn. The number is written as a single word.
Using 16 in Everyday Contexts
Using 16 in Sentences
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not add the s from sechs when writing 16, and do not separate the number into two words. In speech, keep the first syllable clear and avoid replacing the German ch with an English “k.”
German Numbers Around 16: Quick Comparison
| Number | German | Pronunciation clue |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | fünfzehn | fuenf-tsayn |
| 16 | sechzehn | zekh-tsayn |
| 17 | siebzehn | zeep-tsayn |
How to Pronounce Sechzehn
Listen to the audio, repeat sechzehn slowly, then say it in the complete age sentence. The German ch here is a back-of-the-mouth sound; keep it distinct from the following z, which sounds like “ts.”
Example Sentences Using 16
Use sechzehn for quantities, ages, and prices. The number stays the same before masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| sechzehn Bücher | sixteen books |
| sechzehn Personen | sixteen people |
| Das kostet sechzehn Euro. | That costs sixteen euros. |
Numbers Around 16
Practice vierzehn (14), fünfzehn (15), sechzehn (16), siebzehn (17), and achtzehn (18). Note that seventeen is siebzehn, not siebenzehn.
Frequently Asked Questions About 16 in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
Is sechzehn one word?
Yes. Write it as one word, without a hyphen.
Why is it not sechszehn?
The final s in sechs is dropped when forming sechzehn.
Summary: 16 in German
16 is sechzehn. Drop the final s from sechs and write the number as one word.
