The German word for 4 is vier. It is useful for everyday counting, prices, dates, and time. This guide also distinguishes the cardinal number from “fourth” and shows how to use it before nouns.
4 (four) in German = vier, pronounced approximately feer.
How Do You Say 4 (four) in German?
German uses vier for the cardinal number four. The number itself does not change for masculine, feminine, or neuter nouns.
Meaning: four
Place vier before a plural noun, as in vier Bücher. Use vierte for “fourth,” and um vier for “at four o’clock.”
Different Ways to Express 4 (four)
The cardinal number stays invariable; ordinal forms and time expressions add the grammar needed for specific contexts.
1. Vier — the cardinal number
vier — four. Use vier to count objects, people, hours, and years. Unlike English, German does not use an extra plural ending on the number.
2. Vierte / vierter / viertes — fourth
der vierte Tag — the fourth day. The ordinal ending changes according to the noun and case. In a date, vierte is the ordinal form for the fourth day.
3. Um vier — at four o’clock
um vier Uhr — at four o’clock. Use um before clock times. The word Uhr can be included for clarity, especially when saying a schedule.
4. Vier Stück — four pieces/items
vier Stück — four pieces. Stück is a convenient counting word when the item is understood or when you are ordering pieces of something.
4 (four) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| vier | four | Counting and quantities |
| der vierte Tag | the fourth day | Order and dates |
| um vier Uhr | at four o’clock | Telling time |
| vier Stück | four pieces | Ordering and quantities |
How to Pronounce vier
Vier is one syllable. The German v is pronounced like English f, so the word begins with an f-like sound. Keep the vowel long: approximately “feer.”
Example Sentences Using 4 (four)
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 four siblings.
Use: Vier comes before the plural noun.
Meaning: The movie starts at four o’clock.
Use: Um marks the scheduled time.
Meaning: She lives on the fourth floor.
Use: Ordinal endings inflect; here it is vierten.
Frequently Asked Questions About 4 (four) in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you say four in German?
The word is vier, pronounced roughly “feer.”
Does vier change for noun gender?
No. The cardinal number remains vier with masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns.
How do you say fourth?
The ordinal stem is viert-; the ending changes with the noun and case, as in der vierte Tag.
How do you say four o’clock?
Say um vier or um vier Uhr for “at four.”
Why does vier start with an f sound?
In the German word vier, the letter v is pronounced like English f.
Summary: 4 (four) in German
The German cardinal number 4 is vier. It does not change before nouns. Use an inflected form such as vierte for fourth and um vier for at four o’clock.
