die
Hundert
💯 What does "Hundert" mean?
The word Hundert means the cardinal number 100, which is ten times ten.
Usually, "hundert" as a numeral is used without an article and is indeclinable (doesn't change its form):
- hundert Euro (one hundred euros)
- hundert Menschen (one hundred people)
- nach hundert Metern (after one hundred meters)
The article "die" is used when "Hundert" functions as a noun (Substantiv), referring to the number itself or a specific, known group/concept of 100. In this case, it's feminine:
- Die Hundert ist eine runde Zahl. (Here, "die Hundert" refers to the concept of the number 100.)
- Er hat die Hundert im Test geknackt. (Slang for scoring 100 points or percent.)
- Sie nähert sich der Hundert. (She is approaching 100 years of age.)
🚨 Attention: When referring to a banknote (e.g., 100 Euro bill), Germans more commonly say "der Hunderter" (masculine).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Numbers, calculations → almost always feminine.
Caution: When verbs are turned into nouns, the result is 'das Addieren', 'das Subtrahieren', 'das Multiplizieren', 'das Dividieren'.
🔢 Grammar of "Hundert": Numeral vs. Noun
"Hundert" can function as an indeclinable numeral or as a feminine noun.
As a Numeral (Usual Usage)
When "hundert" specifies a quantity, it's used like an adjective before the noun but is not declined:
- Ich habe hundert Bücher. (I have one hundred books. - Nominative/Accusative Plural)
- Der Preis von hundert Äpfeln. (The price of one hundred apples. - Genitive Plural)
- Mit hundert Freunden feiern. (Celebrating with one hundred friends. - Dative Plural)
As a Noun: "Die Hundert"
When referring to the number itself, "Hundert" becomes the feminine noun "die Hundert". It is then declined.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hundert |
| Genitive | der | Hundert |
| Dative | der | Hundert |
| Accusative | die | Hundert |
The plural "die Hunderte" means "hundreds of" or "many".
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hunderte |
| Genitive | der | Hunderte |
| Dative | den | Hunderten |
| Accusative | die | Hunderte |
💡 Examples
- As numeral: Er kaufte hundert Rosen für sie. (He bought one hundred roses for her.)
- As noun (Singular): Die Hundert ist eine wichtige Marke beim Sprint. (The hundred (meter mark) is an important mark in sprinting.)
- As noun (Singular, Dative): Er nähert sich der Hundert. (He is approaching one hundred (years old).)
- As noun (Plural): Hunderte von Menschen kamen zum Konzert. (Hundreds of people came to the concert.)
🎯 How to Use "Hundert" Correctly?
- Specifying Quantity: Most commonly, "hundert" is used to state the exact number 100: hundert Gramm Butter (one hundred grams of butter), hundert Teilnehmer (one hundred participants). Here, it's indeclinable.
- The Number as a Concept: When talking about the number 100 itself, use "die Hundert": Die Hundert folgt auf die Neunundneunzig. (One hundred follows ninety-nine.)
- Stating Age: You can say "Er ist hundert (Jahre alt)" (He is one hundred (years old)) or colloquially "Er geht auf die Hundert zu" (He's approaching one hundred).
- Percentages: The word "Prozent" comes from "pro centum" (per hundred). 100 Prozent means the whole.
- Colloquial Use: "Hunderte" (plural) is often used for an unspecified large amount: Ich habe es dir schon hunderte Male gesagt! (I've told you hundreds of times!)
- Compared to "Einhundert": You can also say "einhundert" to emphasize clarity, e.g., when writing checks (einhundert Euro), but in normal speech, "hundert" is more common.
🧠 Mnemonics for "(die) Hundert"
Article "die" (for the noun): Think of die Zahl (the number). Since 'Zahl' is feminine in German, it makes sense that when you talk about the number 100 as a concept, it's die Hundert.
Meaning (100): Imagine being HUNT-ed by 100 things! Or think of HUND-red where HUND sounds like hound (dog) - maybe 100 hounds?
↔️ Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Terms
Synonyms
- Einhundert: A more formal alternative for the number 100.
- Zehn mal zehn: Mathematical description (ten times ten).
Similar But Different Words
- Der Hunderter: Usually refers to a 100 Euro bill, or sometimes a person/thing related to 100 (like a centenarian, though less common). Masculine!
- Hunderte: The plural, meaning "hundreds of", an unspecified large number.
- Hundertstel: The hundredth part (1/100).
😄 A Little Joke
"Schicker Gürtel!"
Und was sagt die Null zur Hundert?
"Wow, mit dir an meiner Seite sehe ich gleich zehnmal besser aus!" 😉
Translation:
What does the zero say to the eight?
"Nice belt!"
And what does the zero say to the hundred?
"Wow, with you by my side, I immediately look ten times better!" 😉
✍️ Poem about Hundert
Zehn mal zehn, das Ziel ist klar,
Macht zusammen hundert, wunderbar.
Eine glatte Zahl, perfekt und rund,
In Prozent und Zins tut sie sich kund.
Die Hundert markiert oft ein Maß,
Beim Rennen, Kochen oder Spaß.
Ein Jahrhundert gar, 'ne lange Zeit,
Steht für Erfahrung und Beständigkeit.
Translation:
Ten times ten, the goal is clear,
Makes together hundred, wonderful dear.
A smooth number, perfect and round,
In percent and interest, it is found.
The Hundred often marks a measure,
In racing, cooking, or pleasure.
A century even, a long time's flight,
Stands for experience and enduring might.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin das Ergebnis von zehn mal zehn,
Du kannst mich oft auf Preisschildern sehn.
Beim Prozentrechnen bin ich die Basis-Zahl,
Welche Zahl bin ich? Rate mal!
Translation:
I am the result of ten times ten,
You can often see me on price tags then.
In percentage calculation, I'm the base number call,
Which number am I? Guess now, all!
Solution: (Die) Hundert / (One) Hundred
🧩 Other Information
Word History
The word "Hundert" comes from Old High German "huntarit". The first part "hunt" originally meant 100 itself (related to Latin "centum", English "hundred"). The second part is related to "raten" (to guess, advise) or "zählen" (to count). So it meant something like "a count of hundreds".
Cultural Significance
- Percentages: The basis for percentage calculations ("pro centum" = per hundred).
- Century (Jahrhundert): A period of 100 years.
- Boiling Point: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (at standard pressure).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hundert?
The word "Hundert" (the number 100) is typically used without an article as an indeclinable numeral (hundert Euro - one hundred euros). When the number itself is treated as a noun, it is feminine: die Hundert. Example: Sie nähert sich der Hundert (She is approaching the age of 100).