German Phrase
Wir sind zu fünft.
Meaning
This phrase is the idiomatic way in German to express the size of a group you are part of. Literally translating to 'We are at five', it uses the preposition 'zu' to indicate the collective number of people present.
When to use
Use this phrase when checking into a hotel, making a restaurant reservation, or whenever you need to state how many people are in your party. It is more natural than simply saying 'Wir sind fünf'.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wirsindzufünft
The 'Zu' Construction
To express group size, German uses 'zu' followed by the number with a '-t' or '-te' ending.
Number endings
For numbers 2-10, you generally add a '-t' to the cardinal number (e.g., zweit, dritt, viert) when used with 'zu'.
🗨In Conversation
Für wie viele Personen ist der Tisch?
For how many people is the table?
Wir sind zu fünft.
There are five of us.
✕Common Mistakes
Wir sind fünf.
Without 'zu', this sounds like you are the number five itself rather than a group of five people.
Wir haben fünf Personen.
In German, you 'are' a certain number of people using the 'zu' construction rather than 'having' them.
↔Alternatives
Wir kommen zu fünft.
The five of us are coming.
Eine Gruppe von fünf Personen.
A group of five people.
Cultural Tip
When entering a restaurant in Germany, it is common to hold up your hand and say 'Zu viert?' or 'Zu fünft?' to the host. This shorthand is perfectly polite and helps the staff seat you quickly according to your group size.