das  Dutzend

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdʊt͡snt/

🔢 What exactly does "das Dutzend" mean?

Das Dutzend is a counting measure and refers to a quantity of twelve (12) items of a specific thing. It is often used when trading goods like Eier (eggs), Backwaren (baked goods), Blumen (flowers), or Schrauben (screws).

It derives from the French word "douzaine", which also means "a group of twelve".

Examples:

• Ein Dutzend Eier = 12 eggs
• Zwei Dutzend Rosen = 24 roses
• Ein halbes Dutzend Brötchen = 6 rolls

🚨 Attention: Although it denotes a quantity, "Dutzend" is grammatically a noun (Substantiv) and takes the article das.

🧐 Grammar of 'das Dutzend' in Detail

"Das Dutzend" is a neuter noun. It is often treated like a numeral and remains unchanged (undeclined), especially when a number precedes it or it stands directly before the counted item.

Example (undeclined): Ich kaufe zwei Dutzend Eier. (I buy two dozen eggs. - Not: *zwei Dutzende*)

However, it can also be declined when used as a standalone noun, especially in the plural or genitive singular, when it doesn't directly quantify something.

Singular Declension (when declined)

Plural Declension (rare, used when talking about multiple units of 12)

Example Sentences

• Ich hätte gern ein Dutzend rote Rosen. (I would like a dozen red roses. - Accusative, undeclined)
• Der Preis des Dutzends Eier ist gestiegen. (The price of the dozen eggs has risen. - Genitive singular, declined)
• Wir haben Dutzende von Briefen erhalten. (We received dozens of letters. - Plural, declined, here means 'many' rather than exact multiples of 12)
• Er kaufte gleich mehrere Dutzend Schrauben. (He bought several dozen screws right away. - Accusative, undeclined after numeral)

🛒 When and how to use "das Dutzend"?

"Das Dutzend" is primarily used in the following contexts:

• Shopping: Especially for Eier (eggs), Backwaren (baked goods like rolls, doughnuts), Blumen (flowers, e.g., roses), or small retail items (Knöpfe - buttons, Schrauben - screws).
• Quantity Specification: As a fixed unit for the number 12.
• Approximate Quantities (in plural): "Dutzende" can also mean "many" or "an indefinite large number," similar to "hundreds" or "thousands." Example: Dutzende von Menschen warteten. (Dozens of people were waiting.)

Typical Phrases:

• ein halbes Dutzend: Half a dozen (six items).
• im Dutzend billiger: Cheaper by the dozen (a quantity discount when buying twelve items).
• etwas Dutzendweise kaufen/verkaufen: To buy/sell something by the dozen.

Difference to "Zwölf" (Twelve)

While "zwölf" is simply the number, "das Dutzend" emphasizes the unit or packaging size. You can say "zwölf Eier" (twelve eggs), but often also "ein Dutzend Eier" (a dozen eggs), especially if they are sold that way.

Style

Using "Dutzend" can sometimes sound a bit more traditional or formal than the plain number "zwölf," but it is quite common in everyday language, especially in the mentioned commercial contexts.

💡 Mnemonics for "das Dutzend"

Remembering the Article "das":

Think of das Maß (the measure/unit). "Dutzend" is a counting measure, and many units of measurement in German are neuter (das Gramm, das Kilo, das Pfund, das Dutzend). It's das standard unit of twelve.

Remembering the Meaning "Twelve":

Imagine a baker making a Dozen Doughnuts. How many? Twelve! The two 'D's in Das Dutzend might remind you of the double-digit number 12. Or connect 'Dutzend' to the English 'dozen' – they sound similar and mean the same.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Terms (Caution):

There aren't really any common German words easily confused with "Dutzend" due to its specific meaning. The English cognate "dozen" is the most relevant parallel.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist billiger: ein Dutzend Eier für 1,20 Euro oder zwölf Eier für 1,20 Euro?"
Fritzchen überlegt kurz und sagt: "Das ist doch dasselbe!"
Lehrer: "Stimmt! Und was ist mehr: ein halbes Dutzend oder sechs?"
Fritzchen: "Da muss ich passen, mit Brüchen hatten wir noch nicht!" 😄

EN: The teacher asks: "Freddy, what's cheaper: a dozen eggs for 1.20 euros or twelve eggs for 1.20 euros?"
Freddy thinks for a moment and says: "That's the same thing!"
Teacher: "Correct! And what's more: half a dozen or six?"
Freddy: "I'll have to pass on that one, we haven't covered fractions yet!" 😄

📜 Poem about 'das Dutzend'

DE:
Ein Dutzend Eier, frisch und rein,
Legt die Henne ins Körbchen fein.
Zwölf Stück an Zahl, das ist bekannt,
Reicht für den Kuchen hier im Land.

Ein Dutzend Rosen, rot und schön,
Hab' ich am Markt heut' angesehn.
Zwölfmal die Freude, welch ein Glück,
Bring' ich der Liebsten mit nach Stück.

EN:
A dozen eggs, so fresh and clean,
The hen lays in the basket keen.
Twelve in number, it is known,
Enough for cake in this home-zone.

A dozen roses, red and bright,
I saw today at market's light.
Twelve times the joy, what happy bliss,
I bring my love, piece after piece (a kiss).

❓ Little Riddle

DE:
Ich bin eine Zahl, doch sag's nicht gleich,
Man kauft oft Eier mit mir reich.
Zweimal sechs macht meine Zahl,
Beim Bäcker gibt's mich manchmal – dreizehn Mal! (Bäckerdutzend)
Was bin ich? ... Das Dutzend

EN:
I am a number, but don't say it straight,
People often buy eggs with me, it's great.
Twice six makes my total score,
At the baker's, I'm sometimes thirteen, not just twelve or four! (Baker's dozen)
What am I? ... A dozen (das Dutzend)

ℹ️ Trivia and Origin

Etymology (Word Origin):

The German word "Dutzend" comes from the Old French word "dozaine", which in turn derives from the Latin "duodecim" meaning "twelve". It entered Middle High German as "tozen(e)" or "dutzein".

The Baker's Dozen (Das Bäckerdutzend):

You might have heard of the "Bäckerdutzend"? Traditionally, this means thirteen (13) items instead of twelve. There are various theories about its origin; one suggests that bakers used to add a thirteenth item for free to ensure they wouldn't be punished for underweight goods.

Related Units of Measure:

• Das Gros: A gross. One gross equals twelve dozen, i.e., 144 items.
• Das Schock: A shock. An old counting unit, usually for 60 items (five dozen).