Weird numbers in French, German and Danish: Why?

And what they reveal about culture, logic, and how we think...

If you've ever tried to count in a foreign language, you may have noticed something strange — numbers don’t always follow the “normal” logic you're used to. In fact, some languages turn basic counting into mental gymnastics.

Let’s take a look at how different countries and cultures count, and why something as simple as a number can actually be pretty complex.

The Curious Case of French Numbers

Ask any French learner: things go fine until you hit 70. Then it gets wild.

• 70 = soixante-dix (literally “sixty-ten”)
• 80 = quatre-vingts (“four-twenties”)
• 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (“four-twenties-ten”)
  

And if you're in Belgium or Switzerland, you might hear more “normal” versions like septante (70), huitante (80), and nonante (90). Yes – even French speakers got tired of the math.

If French numbers make you feel like you’re doing math homework — you’re not alone. But you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Join our online French group classes and get real-time practice with expert teachers who make confusing things make sense.

German: Long, Precise, and Backwards

German numbers aren’t hard, but they can be confusing at first. Why?

• 23 = dreiundzwanzig (“three and twenty”)
• 48 = achtundvierzig (“eight and forty”)
  
  

It’s like telling time in reverse. German speakers say the ones digit first, followed by the tens. Logical, once you’re used to it – but definitely a puzzle for beginners.

Danish: A Math Riddle

If you thought French was tricky, meet Danish.

• 50 = halvtreds (short for “half third times twenty” = 2.5 × 20)
• 70 = halvfjerds (“half fourth times twenty” = 3.5 × 20)
• 90 = halvfems (“half fifth times twenty” = 4.5 × 20)
  
  

Yes. It’s basically math poetry. Most Danes learn it as kids and don’t question it — but language learners? Confused and terrified.

Whether you're navigating backwards numbers in German or poetic math in Danish, we offer private language classes tailored to your learning goals and schedule.

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• 1-on-1 attention from highly qualified instructors
• Customized lesson plans based on your level and pace
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• Focus on speaking, listening, or specific language skills

Master the quirks of any language with personalized support.

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A cultural hint

Numbers are a perfect example of how language reflects culture, history, and worldview. What seems “weird” is often a result of centuries of evolution — mixing tradition, trade, colonization, and even Viking math.

Understanding how different countries count helps language learners:

• Train their brains to think in new ways
• Learn to spot patterns and systems
• Appreciate the rich logic behind every language, thus achieving language fluency faster