die  Nummer

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnʊmɐ/

🔢 What does "die Nummer" mean?

Die Nummer is a feminine noun with several meanings:

• Sequence of digits for identification: A specific sequence of digits that uniquely identifies something or someone. Examples: Telefonnummer (phone number), Hausnummer (house number), Kontonummer (account number), Postleitzahl (postal code, zip code), Artikelnummer (article number).
• Position in a sequence: An item or position within an ordered sequence or list. Examples: Wartenummer (waiting number), Programmnummer (program number), die Nummer eins sein (to be number one/the best).
• Performance or act: A single item on the program in a performance, show, or circus. Examples: eine tolle Zirkusnummer (a great circus act), eine musikalische Nummer (a musical number/piece).
• Size specification: Especially for clothing or shoes. Example: Welche Nummer tragen Sie? (What size do you wear?)
• Colloquially for "thing" or "trick": Can sometimes be used pejoratively or ironically. Examples: eine linke Nummer (a shady deal/scam), eine komische Nummer (a strange affair/business).
• Issue of a magazine: Example: die neueste Nummer des Magazins (the latest issue of the magazine).

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse die Nummer (identification, sequence of digits) with die Zahl (abstract mathematical value) or die Anzahl (quantity), although they are often related.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Nummer" in Detail

Die Nummer is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Kannst du mir bitte deine Nummer geben?
  (Can you please give me your number? - phone number)
• Wir wohnen in Nummer 15.
  (We live at number 15. - house number)
• Ich habe die Nummer 8 gezogen.
  (I drew number 8. - waiting number)
• Die Akrobaten zeigten eine beeindruckende Nummer.
  (The acrobats performed an impressive act/number.)
• Diese Schuhe gibt es leider nicht mehr in meiner Nummer.
  (Unfortunately, these shoes are no longer available in my size.)
• Pass auf, das ist eine ganz linke Nummer!
  (Watch out, that's a really shady deal!)

📞 How to use "die Nummer"?

Die Nummer is a very common word in German. Here are some typical contexts:

• Identification: Very common for phone numbers, house numbers, room numbers, order numbers, etc. You ask: "Wie ist deine/Ihre Nummer?" (What is your number?) or "Welche Nummer hat das Haus?" (What number is the house?).
• Sequence: When waiting (taking a Wartenummer), in competitions ("Er ist die Nummer eins!" - He's number one!), in lists or catalogs.
• Entertainment: Describing acts in shows, circuses, or variety performances. "Das war eine tolle Nummer!" (That was a great act!)
• Clothing/Shoes: Asking for the size. "Haben Sie das auch eine Nummer größer/kleiner?" (Do you have this one size larger/smaller?)
• Colloquial speech: Can be neutral ("eine sichere Nummer" - a sure thing), but also negative ("eine miese Nummer" - a nasty trick/affair).

Abbreviation: The most common abbreviation for Nummer is Nr. (e.g., Haus Nr. 5).

Comparison:

• Die Zahl: Refers to the mathematical value (e.g., die Zahl Pi - the number pi, eine gerade Zahl - an even number).
• Die Ziffer: A single character for a number (0, 1, 2, ..., 9). A Nummer consists of Ziffern.
• Die Anzahl: Refers to a quantity or count (e.g., die Anzahl der Teilnehmer - the number of participants).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Nummer"

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Adresse (the address) or die Kennzeichnung (the identification) – both are feminine words often associated with a number. Many nouns ending in '-er' that denote things rather than people are feminine (like die Butter, die Leiter [ladder]), but Nummer fits this pattern even though many '-er' nouns are masculine. Or remember that die Zahl (the number/figure) is also feminine.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word Nummer sounds very similar to the English word "number". Imagine dialing a phone number (Telefonnummer) or looking for a house number (Hausnummer). The English cognate helps you remember the core meaning.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of "Nummer"

Similar but different words:

• Die Zahl: The abstract mathematical value (e.g., Die Zahl 7 ist eine Primzahl. - The number 7 is a prime number.)
• Die Ziffer: The written symbol/digit (e.g., Die Nummer 10 besteht aus den Ziffern 1 und 0. - The number 10 consists of the digits 1 and 0.)
• Die Anzahl: The quantity/count (e.g., Die Anzahl der Gäste war hoch. - The number of guests was high.)

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist die Hälfte von Acht?" Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Kommt drauf an, Herr Lehrer. Waagerecht oder senkrecht?" Lehrer: "Wieso das denn?" Fritzchen: "Na, waagerecht ist es die Null (0), und senkrecht ist es die Drei (3)!"

English Translation: The teacher asks: "What is half of eight?" Little Fritz raises his hand: "It depends, teacher. Horizontally or vertically?" Teacher: "Why is that?" Fritz: "Well, horizontally it's zero (0), and vertically it's three (3)!"

📜 Poem about the Nummer

German:

Die Nummer, klein und groß,
Mal auf dem Zettel, mal im Schoß.
Mal Türschild, mal am Telefon,
Sie ordnet Welten, kennt man schon.

Die Nummer eins, wer möchte's nicht sein?
Doch jede Ziffer hat 'nen Schein.
Im Leben, Spiel, bei Tag und Nacht,
Die Nummer hat stets mitgemacht.

English Translation:

The number, small and large,
Sometimes on paper, sometimes in your charge.
A door sign or on the phone's display,
It orders worlds, as we all know today.

Number one, who wouldn't want that fame?
But every digit plays its game.
In life, in play, by day and night,
The number's always been in sight.

❓ Riddle Time

German: Ich bestehe aus Ziffern, doch bin keine Zahl allein. Ich öffne Türen, lass dich anrufen, lade dich ein. Im Zirkus bin ich ein Akt, beim Warten dein Los. Was bin ich, sag's schnell, rate bloß!

English Translation: I consist of digits, but I'm not just a figure. I open doors, let you call, invite you hither. In the circus I'm an act, when waiting I'm your lot. What am I? Tell me quickly, give it a shot!

Solution: Die Nummer (The number)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Origin: The word "Nummer" comes from the Latin word numerus, meaning "number" or "quantity".
• Abbreviation: The most common abbreviation is Nr., less commonly also № (numero sign).
• Idioms (Redewendungen):
  • Eine große Nummer sein: To be a big shot / important or famous.
  • Auf Nummer sicher gehen: To play it safe / not take any risks.
  • Seine Nummer abziehen: To pull one's usual stunt / routine (often negative).