Zehn

Zehn is the German cardinal number for the integer 10. It is used in counting, telling time and dates, and appears in many German phrases and compounds. In mathematics, the number ten is also the basis of the decimal (base-10) numeral system, which in German is called the Dezimalsystem.

Etymology and cognates: The German word zehr derives from the Proto-Germanic word *tehun-, and it is cognate with Dutch tien and English ten. The form reflects regular sound changes in the Germanic languages from their ancient roots.

Usage and forms: Zehn functions as a numeral and may modify a noun, as in zehn Äpfel (ten apples) or zehn Euro (ten euros). It also appears in compounds such as zeh nfach (tenfold) and zehnmal (ten times). The ordinal form is zehnten or zehnter, used for the tenth position. Common phrases include die Zehn Gebote (the Ten Commandments) and zehn Uhr (ten o’clock). When writing numbers, Germans can spell out neun, zehn, etc., in running text, or use digits like 10 in numerical contexts.

See also: In German, other numerals follow similar patterns, and the word is part of everyday usage in education, media, and daily speech.