01
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
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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 mehrere
several
'mehrere' and 'Dutzend' both have to do with quantities, but they work differently. 'mehrere' does not give an exact number and simply means more than two. 'ein Dutzend' (a dozen) is exactly twelve items. In the plural, 'Dutzende' (dozens) often means a larger, indefinite number. Learners may confuse the words because both can sometimes seem imprecise. The important point is: 'mehrere' is a small to medium indefinite quantity; 'Dutzend' either has the fixed number twelve or, in the plural, means a clearly larger quantity.
Dutzend
Für die Feier kauft Paul ein Dutzend Brötchen.
Paul buys a dozen rolls for the party.
mehrere
In der Besprechung stellte die Mitarbeiterin mehrere Fragen zum neuen Plan.
In the meeting, the employee asked several questions about the new plan.
In real life
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