Dates in German – Learn How to Say and Write Dates

Key takeaways

Dates in German use a clear day–month–year order that appears in daily messages and simple forms.

You say dates with ordinal numbers, steady patterns, and short statements.

German uses dots instead of slashes when you write dates.

With friendly practice, you can read, say, and write dates with calm and steady progress.

Dates in German follow stable patterns you see in schedules, appointments, and everyday plans. Once you learn the structure, you can share dates with confidence whether you are booking a visit, noting a deadline, or planning a simple event. You can also grow your skills step by step through learn German support and guided tools that match your pace.

How to write dates in German

German dates follow the day–month–year order. This format stays consistent in text messages, emails, and official forms.

Standard written form:

12.04.2025

You will notice periods (dots) instead of slashes. This makes German dates easy to scan at a glance.

Full written dates with words

You can write dates in a longer form:

der 12. April 2025
der 3. Oktober 1990

The month is capitalized because all German nouns take capital letters.

How to say dates in German

When speaking, German uses ordinal numbers to state the day.

Structure:

am + ordinal number + month

Examples:

am ersten Januar
am zwölften April
am dritten Mai

This form appears in simple plans, meetings, and everyday conversations.

Ordinal numbers for dates

Here are some common forms:

1 → erster / ersten
2 → zweiter / zweiten
3 → dritter / dritten
4 → vierter / vierten
10 → zehnter / zehnten
21 → einundzwanzigster / einundzwanzigsten

German endings change based on the case, but for dates you mainly use -en after *am*.

Saying the year in German

Years are spoken as one full number:

2025 → zweitausendfünfundzwanzig
1990 → neunzehnhundertneunzig

These forms become easier once you follow the small word groups.

Useful date phrases in German

These short expressions help you in daily plans:

Welches Datum ist heute? (What is today’s date?)
Heute ist der 12. April.
Mein Termin ist am 5. Juni.
Der Kurs beginnt am 1. September.

Each phrase keeps the structure clear and consistent.

Common mistakes with dates in German

Beginners often mix formats. These gentle reminders help:

Do not use slashes → 12.04.2025, not 12/04/2025
Use ordinal numbers when speaking
Keep the day–month–year order
Capitalize months in the full written form

These patterns help you share dates with clarity in everyday situations.

Learn how to say dates in German with Promova

Promova offers short lessons, friendly reminders, and guided practice to help you use German dates with confidence. You can explore pronouncing ordinal numbers, reading simple schedules, and forming short sentences for your daily plans. With warm support and small steps, you grow comfortable using dates in real conversations.

Final thoughts on dates in German

German dates follow clear and predictable rules. Once you learn the order and the way ordinal numbers work, you can read, say, and write dates easily. With steady practice, these forms feel natural and help you communicate your plans with confidence.

FAQ

What is the German date format?

German uses day–month–year, often written with dots. This pattern appears in both informal and formal text.

How do you say dates in German?

Dates use ordinal numbers with the preposition am. Example: am dritten Mai.

How do you write dates in German words?

You write them as der 12. April 2025. Months are capitalized because they are nouns.

Do Germans use slashes for dates?

No. German uses dots: 12.04.2025. This rule stays consistent across documents and messages.