Dutzend
dozen
A quantity of twelve items.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern ein Dutzend Eier, bitte.
I'd like a dozen eggs, please.
Dutzend
dozen
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Meanings
Dutzende
dozens
Used in the plural to describe an indefinite but larger number of people or things.
EXAMPLE
Dutzende Schaulustige versammelten sich am Unfallort.
Dozens of onlookers gathered at the scene of the accident.
Usage tips
Exact vs. indefinite
In the singular with an article ('ein Dutzend' — a dozen), the word means the exact number 12. In the plural ('Dutzende' — dozens), it describes an indefinite, larger quantity, similar to 'many'.
EXAMPLE
Für den Kuchen brauche ich genau ein Dutzend Eier.
For the cake I need exactly a dozen eggs.
Sentence structure as a numeral
When 'Dutzend' (dozen) means the number 12, it is not declined. The following noun is in the plural and usually has no article.
EXAMPLE
Er kaufte ein Dutzend rote Rosen.
He bought a dozen red roses.
Sentence structure in the plural
The plural form 'Dutzende' (dozens) is treated like a noun and declined. It can be followed directly by a noun, or the construction 'Dutzende von' (dozens of) + noun can be used.
EXAMPLE
Er hat Dutzende Bücher zu diesem Thema gelesen.
He has read dozens of books on this topic.
Typical collocations
Although in theory you can count anything in dozens, the term is traditionally often used for certain goods. These include especially 'Eier' (eggs), 'Rosen' (roses), 'Brötchen' (bread rolls), or 'Austern' (oysters).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Markt kann man frische Austern im Dutzend kaufen.
At the market, you can buy fresh oysters by the dozen.
Compare with
Dutzend vs zwölf
twelve
Zwölf and ein Dutzend both refer to exactly twelve items. Zwölf is the direct number used for counting, whereas Dutzend is a unit of quantity and normally appears with an article or another number word. Use zwölf for the exact number and Dutzend when you want to emphasize the group of twelve as a unit.
Dutzend
Für die Feier kaufe ich ein Dutzend Eier.
I’m buying a dozen eggs for the party.
zwölf
Für die Feier kaufe ich zwölf Eier.
I’m buying twelve eggs for the party.
In real life
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