In German
elf
Meaning: eleven
Formal or informal? “Elf” is eleven. Germans count to twelve with one word each, and from thirteen the pattern is -zehn: “dreizehn”, “vierzehn”.
Example sentences
Ich bin elf Jahre alt.
I am eleven years old.
Es ist elf Uhr.
It's eleven o'clock.
Das Team hat elf Spieler.
The team has eleven players.
Grammar note
“Elf” doesn't change in form: it's the same before or after a noun. The age construction is “ich bin elf Jahre alt”, with the plural “Jahre”.
Common mistake
Don't say “elfe” or “eilf”. The correct spelling is “elf”, with no extra letter, and the word for twelve is “zwölf”, which is a separate word.
Quick check
Which German word means “eleven”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What is the German word for twelve?
“Zwölf”, which is a separate word, not a pattern from eleven.
How do you say you are eleven years old?
“Ich bin elf Jahre alt.”