die  Rufnummer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁuːfnʊmɐ/

☎️ What exactly is a 'Rufnummer'?

The German noun die Rufnummer (feminine, plural: die Rufnummern) refers to a sequence of digits uniquely assigned to a telephone line, allowing that line to be called. Essentially, it's the 'address' for a phone call.

Basically, it's what we commonly know as a telephone number. The term 'Rufnummer' is often used in more official contexts or technical descriptions.

There's only one article for this word: die Rufnummer.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🔢 Grammar: 'Die Rufnummer' in Detail

The word 'Rufnummer' is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Kannst du mir bitte deine Rufnummer geben? (Can you please give me your phone number?)
2. Unter dieser Rufnummer ist niemand erreichbar. (No one can be reached at this number.)
3. Notieren Sie sich die Rufnummer des Kundendienstes. (Write down the customer service phone number.)
4. Die Firma hat mehrere Rufnummern für verschiedene Abteilungen. (The company has several phone numbers for different departments.)
5. Die Portierung der alten Rufnummer hat funktioniert. (Porting the old phone number worked.)

📞 How to Use 'Rufnummer'?

The term die Rufnummer is primarily used when discussing the technical or administrative aspects of telephone connections. In everyday language, 'Telefonnummer' is often more common, but 'Rufnummer' is perfectly correct and understandable.

• Formal Contexts: You'll find it in contracts, forms, technical manuals (e.g., from mobile providers, authorities).
• Distinction: Sometimes 'Rufnummer' is used to emphasize the entire number including the area code, as opposed to just an 'extension' (Durchwahl) or 'internal line' (Nebenstelle).
• Comparison: 'Telefonnummer' is the more general term. 'Rufnummer' sounds a bit more formal or technical. 'Anschlussnummer' (line number) is another synonym but less common in daily life.

⚠️ Avoid confusing it with 'Hausnummer' (house number) or 'Seriennummer' (serial number).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

How can you remember the article and meaning of 'die Rufnummer'?

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of 'the' (feminine 'die') information or 'the' connection needed to make a call. Many abstract concepts related to communication or organization in German are feminine, like die Nummer, die Leitung, die Verbindung. Hence, die Rufnummer.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of 'Ruf' (from rufen = to call) and 'Nummer' (number). So, it's the 'number' you use to 'call' someone.

↔️ Synonyms & Opposites

Similar but Different Words:

• Durchwahl: Extension number; the last digits of a Rufnummer to reach a specific person/department within an organization.
• Vorwahl: Area code or country code; the digits dialed before the main number to call a specific region or country.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Können Sie mir bitte Ihre private Rufnummer geben?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Klar, aber die ist nicht jugendfrei!"
Chef: "Wieso das denn?"
Mitarbeiter: "Die beginnt mit 0180..."

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Could you please give me your private phone number?"
The employee says: "Sure, but it's not suitable for minors!"
Boss: "Why is that?"
Employee: "It starts with 0180..." (These are often premium-rate service numbers in Germany, hence the 'joke' about it not being 'free' or 'innocent').

📜 A Poem About the Number

Die Rufnummer, Ziffern klar,
Verbindet Menschen, fern und nah.
Ein Tippen nur, ein Wählerton,
Schon spricht man mit 'ner and'ren Person.
Ob alt, ob neu, ob kurz, ob lang,
Sie überbrückt den Abstand bang.
Die Leitung glüht, das Gespräch beginnt,
Durch Ziffern, die man sorgsam find't.

Translation:
The phone number, digits clear,
Connects people, far and near.
Just a tap, a dial tone's sound,
Soon you speak with someone 'round.
Whether old or new, short or long,
It bridges the distance, fearful, strong.
The line glows bright, the talk takes hold,
Through digits carefully found and told.

🤔 A Little Riddle

Ich habe Ziffern, doch zähle kein Geld.
Ich verbinde dich mit der ganzen Welt.
Man tippt mich ein, um zu 'rufen' an.
Wer oder was bin ich dann?

Translation:
I have digits, but count no money.
I connect you with the whole world, honey.
You type me in to make a 'call'.
Who or what am I after all?

Solution: die Rufnummer (the phone number)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word 'Rufnummer' is a compound noun, formed from:

• der Ruf: derived from the verb 'rufen' (to call).
• die Nummer: a number or sequence of digits.

Together, the meaning is 'number via which one can call someone'.

Trivia

• International phone numbers often start with a plus sign (+) followed by the country code (e.g., +49 for Germany).
• In Germany, the allocation of phone numbers (Rufnummern) is regulated by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).