twelve
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twelve
The cardinal number between eleven and thirteen, represented by the digits 12.
Ein Tag hat vierundzwanzig Stunden, und die Uhr zeigt zweimal zwölf Stunden an.
A day has twenty-four hours, and the clock shows twelve hours twice.
The number 'zwölf' (twelve) has an interesting origin. The part 'zw-' is related to 'zwei' (two), and '-lf' used to mean 'what is left over.' So: two that remain after ten.
Ein Jahr hat zwölf Monate.
A year has twelve months.
The expression 'fünf vor zwölf' (five to twelve) means that it is almost too late and you have to hurry. It is the very last minute to do something.
Wir müssen das Projekt heute abschließen, es ist schon fünf vor zwölf!
We have to finish the project today; it's already five to twelve!
When you use 'zwölf' (twelve) for a date, it becomes the ordinal number 'zwölfte' (twelfth). In a sentence, it is usually used with the preposition 'am'.
Mein Geburtstag ist am zwölften März.
My birthday is on the twelfth of March.
eleven
'zwölf' and 'elf' are both numbers and come directly next to each other. 'elf' is 11, and 'zwölf' is 12. They are easy to confuse because both are short number words and are often learned together. But the difference is important, for example with times, prices, ages, or quantities. A simple guide is: after 'zehn' comes 'elf', and after that comes 'zwölf'.
Für den Ausflug brauchen wir zwölf Fahrkarten.
We need twelve tickets for the trip.
Im Kurs sitzen heute nur elf Personen.
There are only eleven people in the course today.