die
Arbeitslosenzahl
📊 What exactly is 'die Arbeitslosenzahl'?
Die Arbeitslosenzahl (feminine, article die) refers to the absolute number of people who are registered as unemployed within a specific period (e.g., a month) and a defined area (e.g., a country, a region). It's a key indicator for the economic situation and the state of the labor market.
The article is always 'die' because the base word "die Zahl" (the number/figure) is feminine. Compound nouns in German generally take the gender of the last component word.
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with the Arbeitslosenquote (unemployment rate), which indicates the percentage share of unemployed people in the total labor force.
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 in Detail: Declension
The word "Arbeitslosenzahl" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Arbeitslosenzahl |
| Genitive | der | Arbeitslosenzahl |
| Dative | der | Arbeitslosenzahl |
| Accusative | die | Arbeitslosenzahl |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Arbeitslosenzahlen |
| Genitive | der | Arbeitslosenzahlen |
| Dative | den | Arbeitslosenzahlen |
| Accusative | die | Arbeitslosenzahlen |
Example Sentences
- Die aktuelle Arbeitslosenzahl ist leicht gesunken.
(The current unemployment figure has slightly decreased.) - Die Entwicklung der Arbeitslosenzahl wird genau beobachtet.
(The development of the unemployment figure is closely monitored.) - Man blickt mit Sorge auf die Arbeitslosenzahlen in der Region.
(People look with concern at the unemployment figures in the region.) - Die Regierung versucht, mit neuen Maßnahmen die Arbeitslosenzahl zu senken.
(The government is trying to lower the unemployment figure with new measures.)
💡 Everyday Usage: 'Die Arbeitslosenzahl' in Context
Die Arbeitslosenzahl is a central term in news reports, economic analyses, and political discussions. It is used to:
- Describe the current situation on the labor market.
- Make comparisons over time periods or between regions.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of labor market policies.
- Create economic forecasts.
It is often mentioned together with the Arbeitslosenquote (unemployment rate), where the 'Zahl' represents the absolute quantity and the 'Quote' represents the relative share.
Typical Phrases:
- "Die Arbeitslosenzahl beträgt aktuell X Millionen." (The unemployment figure is currently X million.)
- "Ein Anstieg/Rückgang der Arbeitslosenzahl wird erwartet." (An increase/decrease in the unemployment figure is expected.)
- "Regionale Unterschiede bei der Arbeitslosenzahl." (Regional differences in the unemployment figure.)
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article: Remember the base word: it's die Zahl (the number/figure). Therefore, it's also die Arbeitslosenzahl.
For the meaning: Imagine a large number (eine Zahl) of people who lost their Arbeit (work) and are now 'los' (rid/free) of it, making up the unemployment figure.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- Zahl der Arbeitslosen: (Number of the unemployed) - Direct equivalent, very common.
- Zahl der Erwerbslosen: (Number of the jobless/persons without gainful employment) - Often used synonymously, sometimes with slightly different definitions (e.g., according to ILO criteria).
- Anzahl der Stellensuchenden: (Number of job seekers) - Can be broader, potentially including unregistered seekers.
⚠️ Risk of Confusion: Do not mix up with Arbeitslosenquote (unemployment rate - a percentage) or Jugendarbeitslosenzahl (youth unemployment figure - a specific age group).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den Statistiker: "Wie entwickelt sich die Arbeitslosenzahl?"
Antwortet der Statistiker: "Sie stagniert auf hohem Niveau - genau wie Ihr Golf-Handicap, Chef!"
Translation:
The boss asks the statistician: "How is the unemployment figure developing?"
The statistician replies: "It's stagnating at a high level - just like your golf handicap, boss!"
✍️ A Little Poem
Die Zahl, die Sorgen macht,
Tag für Tag und über Nacht.
Mal steigt sie hoch, mal fällt sie tief,
Ein Wirtschaftsindikator, sensitiv.
Die Arbeitslosenzahl, ein ernstes Wort,
Ein Spiegelbild an manchem Ort.
Translation:
The figure that causes worries,
Day by day and through the night.
Sometimes it climbs high, sometimes it falls deep,
An economic indicator, sensitive.
The unemployment figure, a serious word,
A reflection in many a place observed.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich messe, wie viele ohne Job,
Bin mal Top, mal bin ich Flop.
In Nachrichten oft genannt,
Durch Politik und Wirtschaft bekannt.
Ich bin keine Quote, nur die Menge pur.
Wer bin ich? Sag's mir auf die Schnur!
Translation:
I measure how many are without a job,
Sometimes I'm top, sometimes I'm a flop.
Often mentioned in the news,
Known through politics and economic views.
I'm not a rate, just the pure amount.
Who am I? Tell me on this account!
Solution: die Arbeitslosenzahl
🧩 Word Puzzle and More
Word Composition:
The word "Arbeitslosenzahl" is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:
- Arbeit (work, noun: die Arbeit)
- -s- (linking element)
- los (-less/free from, adjective/suffix, here part of 'arbeitslos' = unemployed)
- -en (plural ending of 'der Arbeitslose' = the unemployed person)
- Zahl (number/figure, noun: die Zahl - the base word, determines the article 'die')
So, it literally means the "number of the unemployed".
Significance: Die Arbeitslosenzahl is a crucial leading indicator for economic trends and often has direct impacts on political decisions and consumer confidence.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Arbeitslosenzahl?
The correct article for "Arbeitslosenzahl" is always die. It is a feminine noun because the final component word, "Zahl" (number, figure), is feminine (die Zahl).