Zähler and Nenner: identify the two numbers
A fraction is der Bruch; its plural is die Brüche. The top number is der Zähler (numerator), the bottom number is der Nenner (denominator), and the dividing line is der Bruchstrich. In a simple part-of-a-whole picture, the denominator tells you how many equal parts form one whole. The numerator tells you how many of those parts you are naming.
For 2/3, picture one strip divided into three equal sections, with two shaded. You are naming two thirds of that strip. Do not read the digits as zwei drei: that gives two separate numbers and does not identify their relationship. In ordinary typed text, a slash such as 2/3 can represent the fraction; the diagrams below use a stacked fraction so its structure stays visible.
One whole, divided into equal parts
1 of 3 equal parts shaded
Read in German
ein Drittel
2 of 3 equal parts shaded
Read in German
zwei Drittel
3 of 4 equal parts shaded
Read in German
drei Viertel
5 of 8 equal parts shaded
Read in German
fünf Achtel
Each strip is one whole. Count all equal parts for the denominator, then the shaded parts for the numerator.
Cover the German readings and identify each shaded share. Then uncover them and say the complete phrase. Counting the divisions before looking at the word helps separate Drittel from Viertel.
A compact reference for German fraction names
Learn the whole phrase, including the form of “one”. In the mathematical reading, use ein Drittel, not eins Drittel. The denominator word keeps the same basic form after a larger numerator: ein Viertel, zwei Viertel, drei Viertel. The list below is a reading reference, not a rule for adding or simplifying fractions.
| Fraction | German reading | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | ein halb | one half, mathematical reading |
| 1/3 | ein Drittel | one third |
| 2/3 | zwei Drittel | two thirds |
| 1/4 | ein Viertel | one quarter |
| 3/4 | drei Viertel | three quarters |
| 2/5 | zwei Fünftel | two fifths |
| 1/6 | ein Sechstel | one sixth |
| 3/7 | drei Siebtel | three sevenths |
| 5/8 | fünf Achtel | five eighths |
| 4/9 | vier Neuntel | four ninths |
| 7/10 | sieben Zehntel | seven tenths |
Notice the umlaut in Fünftel, the spelling Drittel and the short form Siebtel. Saying and writing a complete pair is more reliable than guessing from the English ending “-th”.
Use halb or Hälfte according to the sentence
The mathematical fraction 1/2 can be read ein halb. In an everyday sentence about a portion, die Hälfte is often the useful noun: Die Hälfte des Kuchens ist noch da. means that half of the cake is still there. Before a noun, halb can take an adjective ending: ein halber Kuchen describes half a cake.
Those forms have different jobs. die Hälfte is a noun, whereas halb in ein halber Kuchen describes the following noun. Do not replace either form mechanically with the other while leaving the rest of the sentence unchanged. The fraction reference uses mathematical readings; choose the sentence pattern you actually need when describing an object.
Capital letters depend on how the fraction is used
In a noun phrase such as zwei Drittel des Bildes, the fraction name is capitalized. The same applies to drei Viertel der Strecke. These examples name a portion of a specified whole. In the mathematical reading list, Drittel, Viertel and the other noun forms therefore start with capitals; halb is an important different form.
A fraction used before a measurement or another noun can have a different spelling. For example, ein viertel Liter uses lowercase viertel. Avoid a blanket rule that every fraction word must always be capitalized. This guide keeps its exercises focused on standalone fraction readings and clearly named portions. Use the existing German numbers and counting guide for the broader number system.
Clarify the fraction instead of repeating isolated digits
When a classmate refers to a fraction in a worksheet, repeat the complete expression. An original short exchange is:
A: Welcher Teil der Fläche ist markiert?
B: Drei Viertel sind markiert.
A: Drei Viertel, also drei von vier gleich großen Teilen?
B: Ja, genau.
The phrase drei von vier gleich großen Teilen makes the intended meaning explicit. It helps check whether you heard the numerator and denominator correctly. You do not need to turn the exchange into a calculation lesson: the communication task is to confirm which share the other person means.
Eight fraction-reading checks
Write or say an answer before opening its explanation. For the picture questions, keep one whole and equal-sized parts in mind.
Read 2/3 in German.
Check answer and explanation
zwei Drittel
The numerator is two; the denominator names thirds. Drittel stays the same after zwei.
A strip has four equal sections and three are shaded. Name the shaded share.
Check answer and explanation
drei Viertel
There are four equal parts in the whole and three selected parts. Do not reverse the two numbers.
Write 5/8 as German words.
Check answer and explanation
fünf Achtel
Use fünf for the numerator and Achtel for eighth-sized parts. The reference reading uses a capital A.
Choose the standard mathematical phrase for 1/3: eins Drittel or ein Drittel.
Check answer and explanation
ein Drittel
Before a fraction name in this mathematical reading, use ein rather than the standalone counting form eins.
In 3/7, which number is der Nenner?
Check answer and explanation
sieben
The bottom number is the denominator. The complete reading is drei Siebtel.
Correct the capitalization in: zwei drittel des Bildes.
Check answer and explanation
zwei Drittel des Bildes
Drittel names the portion and is used as a noun here. This correction does not create an always-capitalize rule for measurements.
Choose a noun phrase meaning half of the cake: die Hälfte des Kuchens or die halb des Kuchens.
Check answer and explanation
die Hälfte des Kuchens
Hälfte is the noun used in this pattern. Halb needs a different grammatical construction.
Read 7/10, then explain which equal parts the denominator names.
Check answer and explanation
sieben Zehntel
Zehntel are tenth-sized parts: ten equal parts form one whole. Sieben tells you how many of those parts are selected.
Make four new reading pairs
Write 1/3, 2/5, 3/4 and 5/8 on one side of a page, with the German readings on the other. Cover one side and retrieve the missing forms in a different order. On the next attempt, draw a matching strip for just one fraction and check both the equal divisions and the shaded count. Correct the number-word relationship before increasing speed.
For a next language task, describe a portion with ein Drittel des … or drei Viertel der …. Keep the reference object clear rather than adding a complicated calculation. The forms, dates, money and numbers comparison covers adjacent wording, while the vocabulary practice overview explains how Lingeva connects words with examples and recall. These website tasks are original reading practice, not an assessment of your mathematical level.
Questions about this topic
How do you say two thirds in German?
Two thirds is zwei Drittel. Zwei is the numerator reading and Drittel names thirds. In the noun phrase zwei Drittel des Bildes, Drittel is capitalized.
Is one third eins Drittel or ein Drittel?
Use ein Drittel for the mathematical fraction 1/3. Eins is the standalone counting form; it is not the form used before Drittel in this reading.
Are German fraction words always capitalized?
No. Noun uses such as drei Viertel der Strecke have capitals; attributive measurement phrases such as ein viertel Liter use lowercase. Halb and Hälfte also have different grammatical roles.
Does the guide include audio?
This guide provides written German readings and practice prompts. It does not include recorded audio or a pronunciation assessment.
Sources and further learning
- Duden: Grundzahlen und Bruchzahlen
- Duden: halb — fraction spelling and forms
- Duden: Ein oder eins — use before fraction names
- Goethe-Institut hosted mathematics-language sample: fractions and their parts
Source links checked: .
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