German number words are useful for counting, giving quantities, and saying prices. The numeral 5 is written as fünf, with an umlaut over the u.
5 (five) in German = fünf, pronounced approximately fuenf (approximately fewnf; the ü is a rounded front vowel).
How Do You Say 5 (five) in German?
The German word for the numeral 5 is fünf. It is the fifth number in the basic counting sequence: eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf.
Meaning: five (the number 5)
Use fünf before a plural noun to give a quantity: fünf Bücher means “five books.” German numbers do not change form for grammatical gender.
Different Ways to Express 5 (five)
The core number stays the same, but German spelling, pronunciation, and the noun that follows it are worth learning together. Continue counting with 6 in German.
1. Fünf — the number 5
fünf — five. This is the standard German cardinal number. The umlaut is part of the spelling and should not be dropped when writing correctly.
2. Fünf Bücher — five books
fünf Bücher — five books. The noun is plural after the number. German nouns are capitalized, including common nouns such as Bücher.
3. Nummer fünf — number five
Nummer fünf — number five. Use this when identifying a numbered item, participant, or place in a sequence.
4. Der fünfte — the fifth
der fünfte — the fifth. This is an ordinal form, used for order rather than quantity. Its ending changes with gender and case.
5 (five) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| fünf | five | Counting and quantities |
| fünf Bücher | five books | Counting objects |
| Nummer fünf | number five | Labels and order |
| der fünfte | the fifth | Dates and rankings |
How to Pronounce fünf
The letter ü is not the same as English “oo.” Shape your lips as for “oo” while trying to say “ee.” The final f is pronounced clearly, giving a sound roughly like fuenf.
Example Sentences Using 5 (five)
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 five apples.
Use: The number is followed by the plural noun Äpfel.
Meaning: The bus arrives in five minutes.
Use: Fünf gives the length of time.
Meaning: She lives on the fifth floor.
Use: Fünften is an ordinal form with an ending.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5 (five) in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you spell five in German?
It is spelled fünf, with an umlaut over the u.
How do you pronounce <em>fünf</em>?
Round your lips for the ü sound and finish with a clear f. English approximations are imperfect because English lacks the same vowel.
Does <em>fünf</em> change for masculine or feminine nouns?
No. The cardinal number fünf stays the same; the noun takes its usual plural form.
What is “the fifth” in German?
The ordinal form is fünfte, with an ending that depends on gender, case, and the article.
How do you say five books?
Say fünf Bücher.
Summary: 5 (five) in German
Write the number 5 as fünf. Keep the umlaut, pronounce ü with rounded lips, and use the plural noun after the number. For order, use an inflected ordinal such as der fünfte.
