A0 Numbers 4 min read Easy

Cardinal Numbers (Grundtal)

Learn the numbers 0-19 first, then combine them with tens to count anything you need.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Cardinal numbers are the basic counting words (1, 2, 3) used to quantify nouns in Swedish.

  • Numbers 1-12 are unique: 'en', 'två', 'tre', 'fyra', 'fem', 'sex', 'sju', 'åtta', 'nio', 'tio', 'elva', 'tolv'.
  • Numbers 13-19 end in '-ton': 'tretton', 'fjorton', 'femton', 'sexton', 'sjutton', 'arton', 'nitton'.
  • Tens end in '-tio': 'tjugo', 'trettio', 'fyrtio', 'femtio', 'sextio', 'sjuttio', 'åttio', 'nittio'.
Number + Noun (e.g., 'två bilar')

Overview

## Overview
Cardinal numbers, or grundtal in Swedish, are the foundation of your vocabulary. You use them every day, from telling the time to buying groceries. Unlike some languages, Swedish numbers are relatively straightforward. The numbers 0-12 are the most important to memorize by heart, as they form the building blocks for everything else. Once you master these, you can easily construct larger numbers by combining the tens and units. Remember that Swedish uses a comma as a decimal separator, though that is more relevant for advanced math. For now, focus on the rhythm of the numbers 1-19. You will notice that 13-19 follow a pattern ending in -ton. This is similar to the English -teen suffix. Understanding these early will make your life in Sweden significantly easier, especially when dealing with prices or phone numbers.
## How to Form It
To form numbers 20-99, you simply place the ten-word before the unit-word. For example, 21 is tjugo (20) + en (1) = tjugoen. It is written as one word.
  • 20: tjugo
  • 21: tjugoen
  • 22: tjugotvå
For numbers 100 and above, you add hundra (hundred) or tusen (thousand). For example, 105 is etthundra fem or hundrafem.
Note the gender difference for the number 1:
  • en bil (common gender)
  • ett hus (neuter gender)
This is the only number that changes based on the noun it modifies.
## When to Use It
You will use cardinal numbers in almost every social interaction. When ordering coffee, you say 'En kaffe, tack' (One coffee, please). When meeting friends, you might say 'Vi ses klockan sju' (We meet at seven). In a job interview, you might describe your experience: 'Jag har jobbat i fem år' (I have worked for five years). When shopping, prices are always expressed with these numbers. Even in digital spaces like social media, you use them to count likes or followers. Practice saying them out loud to get the Swedish pronunciation of 'sju' (seven) and 'tjugo' (twenty) correct, as they are often tricky for beginners.
## Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is forgetting the gender of 'one'. Beginners often say 'en hus' instead of 'ett hus'. Another mistake is mispronouncing 'sju' (seven), which sounds like a breathy 'hu' in many dialects. Finally, learners often try to separate the numbers (e.g., 'tjugo ett') when they should be written as one word ('tjugoen'). Always remember that Swedish compound numbers are written together without spaces.
## How It's Different From...
Cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3) are different from ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd). In Swedish, ordinals are första, andra, tredje, etc. Do not mix these up when giving dates or rankings. Cardinal numbers are for counting; ordinal numbers are for order. If you say 'Jag har två' (I have two), you are counting. If you say 'Jag är tvåa' (I am second), you are stating a position.
## CEFR-Level Explanations
A1: Cardinal numbers are the words for counting: 0, 1, 2, 3. You use them to say how many things you have. For example, 'Jag har en hund' (I have one dog). Remember that 'one' has two forms: 'en' and 'ett'.
A2: At this level, you should be able to count up to 100. You combine the tens (tjugo, trettio) with the units (ett, två). Remember that numbers are written as one word. You can now use these in questions like 'Hur många?' (How many?).
B1: You can now handle larger numbers and understand how they function in different contexts, such as prices or dates. You should be aware of the slight variations in pronunciation across Swedish dialects, particularly for numbers like 'sju' and 'tjugo'.
B2: Cardinal numbers are integrated into complex sentences. You can use them in statistical reporting or formal descriptions. You understand the distinction between cardinal and ordinal forms and can use them accurately in professional settings.
C1: You can use cardinal numbers in idiomatic expressions and complex numerical data analysis. You are aware of historical forms and regional variations in counting, such as the older 'tusen' usage in specific contexts.
C2: Near-native mastery involves using numbers fluently in rapid speech and understanding nuanced usage in literature or archaic texts. You can effortlessly switch between registers when discussing quantitative data.

Cardinal Numbers 0-20

Number Swedish Pronunciation (Approx)
0
noll
noll
1
en/ett
en/ett
2
två
två
3
tre
tre
4
fyra
fyra
5
fem
fem
6
sex
sex
7
sju
shu
8
åtta
åtta
9
nio
nio
10
tio
tio

Meanings

Cardinal numbers represent quantity or 'how many' of something exist.

1

Counting

Used for simple enumeration.

“Ett, två, tre, kör!”

“Vi är fem personer.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Cardinal Numbers (Grundtal)
Form Structure Example
Units
0-9
fem (5)
Teens
11-19
sexton (16)
Tens
20-90
tjugo (20)
Compound
Tens + Units
tjugoen (21)
Hundreds
X + hundra
tvåhundra (200)
Thousands
X + tusen
femtusen (5000)

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Jag besitter tre stycken.

Jag besitter tre stycken. (General)

Neutral
Jag har tre.

Jag har tre. (General)

Informal
Jag har tre stycken.

Jag har tre stycken. (General)

Slang
Jag har tre.

Jag har tre. (General)

Number Building Blocks

Swedish Numbers

Units

  • tre three

Teens

  • tretton thirteen

Tens

  • trettio thirty

Examples by Level

1

Jag har en katt.

I have one cat.

2

Det är två bilar.

There are two cars.

3

Jag är tre år gammal.

I am three years old.

4

Vi har ett hus.

We have one house.

1

Tjugoen elever är här.

Twenty-one students are here.

2

Det kostar femtio kronor.

It costs fifty kronor.

3

Jag har tolv pennor.

I have twelve pens.

4

Nittionio kronor, tack.

Ninety-nine kronor, please.

1

Vi väntar på hundra personer.

We are waiting for a hundred people.

2

Han har sprungit sjutton kilometer.

He has run seventeen kilometers.

3

Det finns trehundra alternativ.

There are three hundred options.

4

Klockan är femton över nio.

It is fifteen past nine.

1

Statistiken visar en ökning på tjugofem procent.

The statistics show an increase of twenty-five percent.

2

Det krävs minst fyrtio deltagare.

At least forty participants are required.

3

Vi har åttioåtta sidor kvar.

We have eighty-eight pages left.

4

Budgeten är på tvåtusen kronor.

The budget is two thousand kronor.

1

Det är en av de tusentals stjärnorna.

It is one of the thousands of stars.

2

Vi har nittiofem procent säkerhet.

We have ninety-five percent certainty.

3

Det rör sig om hundratusentals kronor.

It concerns hundreds of thousands of kronor.

4

Han har vunnit sjuhundrafemtio gånger.

He has won seven hundred and fifty times.

1

Det fanns ett hundratal åskådare.

There were about a hundred spectators.

2

Vi talar om miljontals möjligheter.

We are talking about millions of possibilities.

3

Det är en nittionio-procentig chans.

It is a ninety-nine percent chance.

4

Han räknade till tiotusen.

He counted to ten thousand.

Easily Confused

Cardinal Numbers (Grundtal) vs En vs Ett

Learners mix up the two forms of 'one'.

Cardinal Numbers (Grundtal) vs Cardinal vs Ordinal

Learners use cardinal numbers for dates.

Cardinal Numbers (Grundtal) vs Compound numbers

Learners separate compound numbers.

Common Mistakes

✗

en hus

✓

ett hus

Hus is a neuter noun, so it takes 'ett'.
✗

tjugo ett

✓

tjugoen

Compound numbers are written as one word.
✗

ett bil

✓

en bil

Bil is a common gender noun, so it takes 'en'.
✗

tretton

✓

tretton

Spelling error (tretton vs treton).
✗

tjugo-ett

✓

tjugoen

No hyphen needed.
✗

sjuttio

✓

sjuttio

Spelling of 70.
✗

åttio

✓

åttio

Spelling of 80.
✗

tusen hundra

✓

elvahundra

Swedish uses 'elvahundra' for 1100.
✗

tjugo-fem

✓

tjugofem

Again, no hyphen.
✗

sju

✓

sju

Pronunciation error.
✗

miljon

✓

miljon

Pluralization of large numbers.
✗

tusen-tals

✓

tusentals

Compound word structure.
✗

nittionio-procentig

✓

nittionio-procentig

Hyphenation in complex adjectives.

Sentence Patterns

Jag har ___ [noun].

Det kostar ___ kronor.

Vi är ___ personer här.

Klockan är ___.

Real World Usage

Ordering food constant

Jag vill ha två pizzor.

Texting very common

Ses om 5 min!

Job interview common

Jag har fem års erfarenhet.

Travel common

En biljett till Stockholm, tack.

Social media common

1000 följare!

Food delivery apps common

Antal: 2

💡

Learn in chunks

Don't try to learn 1-100 at once. Learn 0-12, then 13-19, then the tens.
⚠️

Watch the gender

Always remember 'en' vs 'ett' for the number 1.
🎯

Listen to native speakers

Pay attention to how they say 'sju' and 'tjugo' in real conversations.
💬

Use 'en' for coins

In Sweden, 'en tia' is a very common way to refer to 10 kronor.

Smart Tips

Check the noun gender first to choose 'en' or 'ett'.

en hus → ett hus

Always combine them into one word.

tjugo fem → tjugofem

Remember the spelling: sjuttio and åttio.

sjutio → sjuttio

Use 'hundra' and 'tusen' as building blocks.

tio hundra → etttusen

Pronunciation

IPA: /ɧʉ/

Sju

The 'sj' sound is a unique, breathy sound in Swedish.

IPA: /ɕʉːɡʊ/

Tjugo

The 'g' is often silent in spoken Swedish.

Counting

Ett, två, tre, fyra...

Rising intonation on each number.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ton' as 'teen'. If it ends in 'ton', it's a teenager (13-19).

Visual Association

Imagine a teenager (13-19) wearing a shirt with 'TON' on it.

Rhyme

Ett, två, tre, nu ska vi se!

Story

I went to the store and bought 'en' (1) apple. Then I saw 'två' (2) birds. Finally, I counted 'tre' (3) cars on the street.

Word Web

nollentvåtiotjugohundratusen

Challenge

Count your steps from 1 to 20 in Swedish while walking.

Cultural Notes

Swedes often use 'en tia' to refer to a 10-kronor coin or bill.

Pronunciation of numbers can vary significantly in Swedish-speaking parts of Finland.

Numbers are sometimes shortened in casual speech.

Swedish cardinal numbers are of Germanic origin, sharing roots with English and German.

Conversation Starters

“

Hur många syskon har du?

“

Vad är ditt favoritnummer?

“

Hur många år har du bott här?

“

Hur mycket kostar en kaffe?

Journal Prompts

List five things you have in your bag.
Describe your daily routine using numbers (e.g., I wake up at 7).
Write about a shopping trip.
Reflect on your age and life milestones.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the missing number: 1, 2, ___.

1, 2, ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tre
The number after 2 is 3 (tre).
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Jag har ___ bil.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en
Bil is a common gender noun.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Jag har tjugo ett äpplen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag har tjugoen äpplen.
Compound numbers are written as one word.
Order the words. Sentence Building

har / jag / tre / bilar

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag har tre bilar.
Subject-Verb-Object order.
Match the number to its word. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tio
10 is tio.
Write the number for 20. Conjugation Drill

20

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tjugo
20 is tjugo.
Is this true? True False Rule

Compound numbers are written as two words.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They are written as one word.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Hur många? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Fem
Fem is a cardinal number.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the missing number: 1, 2, ___.

1, 2, ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tre
The number after 2 is 3 (tre).
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Jag har ___ bil.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en
Bil is a common gender noun.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Jag har tjugo ett äpplen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag har tjugoen äpplen.
Compound numbers are written as one word.
Order the words. Sentence Building

har / jag / tre / bilar

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jag har tre bilar.
Subject-Verb-Object order.
Match the number to its word. Match Pairs

10

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tio
10 is tio.
Write the number for 20. Conjugation Drill

20

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tjugo
20 is tjugo.
Is this true? True False Rule

Compound numbers are written as two words.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
They are written as one word.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Hur många? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Fem
Fem is a cardinal number.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

Swedish nouns have two genders: common (en) and neuter (ett). The number 1 must match the noun's gender.

Write it as one word: `tjugoen`.

Yes, the 'sj' sound is unique. Practice listening to native speakers.

Use cardinal numbers for the year, but ordinal numbers (första, andra) for the day.

No, they are written in lowercase unless at the start of a sentence.

Use 'hundra' for hundreds and 'tusen' for thousands.

Swedish uses a comma (,) instead of a period (.) for decimals.

Only the number 1 changes gender. Everything else is consistent.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

German high

Kardinalzahlen

Swedish is simpler with gender (en/ett) compared to German's three genders.

French low

Nombres cardinaux

Swedish is base-10, while French has remnants of base-20.

Spanish moderate

Números cardinales

Swedish gender agreement is only for the number 1.

Japanese low

基数 (Kisu)

Swedish numbers are independent of the noun type.

Arabic low

الأرقام الأصلية

Swedish is much simpler regarding gender agreement.

Chinese low

基数 (Jīshù)

Swedish does not use measure words for basic counting.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Connected Grammar

Ordinal Numbers

Builds On

You need cardinal numbers to understand ordinal sequence.

Nouns and Gender

Prerequisite

You need to know noun gender to use 'en' vs 'ett'.

Telling Time

Builds On

Telling time relies entirely on cardinal numbers.

Mathematical Expressions

Advanced Form

Advanced math uses these numbers.

Next
Telling Time (Klockan)
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