die
Mitarbeiterzahl
📖 What exactly is 'die Mitarbeiterzahl'?
Die Mitarbeiterzahl refers to the number of people employed in a company, organization, or department. It's an important metric to describe the size of a business.
The word is a compound noun, composed of:
- Mitarbeiter (plural of Mitarbeiter = employee, co-worker)
- Zahl (number, count)
It is a feminine noun, therefore the article is always die.
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: Declension of 'Mitarbeiterzahl'
The noun „Mitarbeiterzahl“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mitarbeiterzahl |
| Genitive | der | Mitarbeiterzahl |
| Dative | der | Mitarbeiterzahl |
| Accusative | die | Mitarbeiterzahl |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mitarbeiterzahlen |
| Genitive | der | Mitarbeiterzahlen |
| Dative | den | Mitarbeiterzahlen |
| Accusative | die | Mitarbeiterzahlen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Mitarbeiterzahl des Unternehmens ist im letzten Jahr gestiegen.
(The company's number of employees increased last year.) - Der Bericht enthält genaue Angaben zur Mitarbeiterzahl.
(The report contains precise details about the number of employees.) - Wir müssen die Mitarbeiterzahlen der verschiedenen Abteilungen vergleichen.
(We need to compare the employee numbers of the different departments.) - Mit steigender Mitarbeiterzahl wächst auch die Verantwortung.
(With an increasing number of employees, responsibility also grows.)
🏢 When to use 'die Mitarbeiterzahl'?
The term Mitarbeiterzahl is primarily used in business and economic contexts:
- Company Reports: To indicate company size in annual reports, presentations, or press releases.
- Statistics: In economic analyses and comparisons between companies or industries.
- Human Resources (HR): For resource planning, budgeting, and organizational development.
- Funding Applications/Authorities: Often required information for applications or reports to authorities (e.g., for short-time work, funding programs).
In everyday conversation, people are less likely to say „Mitarbeiterzahl“ and more likely to ask „how many people“ work somewhere. „Mitarbeiterzahl“ sounds more formal and precise.
⚠️ Note: Sometimes a distinction is made between full-time equivalents (FTEs, in German: VZÄ) and the simple headcount. „Mitarbeiterzahl“ can mean either, but often refers to the headcount unless specified otherwise.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article: The base word is „die Zahl“ (the number). Many abstract nouns ending in -zahl are feminine. Remember: The number ('die Zahl') of employees -> die Mitarbeiterzahl.
For the meaning: Imagine you are counting the Mitarbeiter (employees) in a company photo. The Zahl (number) you get is the Mitarbeiterzahl.
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Belegschaftsstärke: Very similar, often used interchangeably (strength of the workforce).
- Personalbestand: Also refers to the number of staff (personnel count).
- Anzahl der Beschäftigten: A descriptive alternative (number of employees).
- Kopfzahl: Emphasizes the pure number of individuals, regardless of working hours (headcount).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
There are no direct antonyms, but concepts expressing the opposite of 'many employees':
- Vakanz / offene Stelle: Refers to unfilled positions (vacancy / open position).
- Leerstand (fig.): Figuratively, when no staff are present (rarely used, vacancy).
- Personalabbau: The process of reducing the number of employees (staff reduction, downsizing).
🚨 Beware of Confusion
Sometimes „Mitarbeiterzahl“ might be confused with „Umsatz“ (revenue) or „Gewinn“ (profit) when discussing a company's size or success. However, the number of employees is only an indicator of the workforce size.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den neuen Praktikanten: „Können Sie mir schnell die aktuelle Mitarbeiterzahl nennen?“
Der Praktikant zählt kurz durch: „Klar Chef, mit Ihnen oder ohne Sie?“
Translation: The boss asks the new intern: "Can you quickly tell me the current number of employees?"
The intern quickly counts: "Sure boss, with or without you?"
✍️ Poem about 'Mitarbeiterzahl'
Die Firma wächst, man kann es seh'n,
die Mitarbeiterzahl wird weitergeh'n.
Von zehn auf hundert, welch ein Sprung,
bringt neuen Geist und frischen Schwung.
Doch jede Zahl, ob groß, ob klein,
will gut geführt und wichtig sein.
Translation:
The company grows, it can be seen,
the number of employees will keep going.
From ten to a hundred, what a leap,
brings new spirit and fresh momentum.
But every number, big or small,
wants to be well-led and important to all.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Ziffer, mal hoch, mal tief,
steh' im Bericht, den der Chef unterschrieb.
Ich sag' dir, wie viele im Hause werkeln,
ob's wenige sind oder gar ganze Kerlen-
und Frauenscharen. Wie nennt man mich?
Ich bin die ...?
Translation:
I am a figure, sometimes high, sometimes low,
I'm in the report that the boss signed, you know.
I tell you how many work in the house,
whether few or whole crowds of men and spouse-
less women too. What am I called, you see?
I am the...?
(Solution: Mitarbeiterzahl)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition (Compound Noun):
The word „Mitarbeiterzahl“ is a classic German compound noun (Kompositum). It consists of:
- Determinant: Mitarbeiter (specifically, the plural stem) - Specifies *whose* number is meant (employee).
- Base Word: Zahl - Determines the gender (feminine) and the basic meaning (number).
Meaning as a Key Figure:
Die Mitarbeiterzahl is an important business metric (KPI - Key Performance Indicator). It is used to analyze company size, growth, productivity (in relation to revenue/profit), and personnel structure.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mitarbeiterzahl?
The word "Mitarbeiterzahl" is feminine, so the correct article is always die (die Mitarbeiterzahl, der Mitarbeiterzahl, der Mitarbeiterzahl, die Mitarbeiterzahl).