neun

Neun is the German word for the number nine. It functions as a cardinal numeral and appears in everyday use for counting, ages, time, quantities, and prices. For example, neun Jahre alt means nine years old, and Es ist neun Uhr means it is nine o’clock.

Etymology and cognates. Neun is of Germanic origin and is cognate with related words in other Germanic languages, such as English nine and Dutch negen. The form reflects a common ancestor in the West Germanic language family and shares a core meaning across these languages.

Formation of larger numbers. In German, numbers above ten are usually formed by combining tens and units, often with the unit placed before the tens and connected by und in the range from 21 to 99. Examples include einundzwanzig (21) and neunundzwanzig (29). The tens themselves have distinct words, such as neunzig for 90. Other common forms include neunzehn for 19 and neunundneunzig for 99. This system differs from the English order in many two-digit numbers, which places the tens before the units.

Orthography and usage. The word neun also appears in compound numerals and in ordinal forms, such as neunte (ninth) or neunter (ninth, masculine). In modern German, digits are widely used alongside words, with the written form depending on style and context. Neun is a standard, unambiguous term across German-speaking regions.

See also. German numerals; numbers in German; German language.