die
Startnummer
🔢 What does "die Startnummer" mean?
Die Startnummer is the German word for a race number or bib number. It refers to the number worn by participants in competitions, especially sporting events like runs, races, or tournaments. It's used for identification and often for timekeeping.
It's usually worn on a bib or vest (often called a Leibchen) attached visibly to the participant's clothing.
The word only uses the feminine article die. ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with Hausnummer (house number) or Telefonnummer (phone number), even though they all involve numbers!
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: Die Startnummer
The noun "Startnummer" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Startnummer |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Startnummer |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Startnummer |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Startnummer |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Startnummern |
| Genitive | der | Startnummern |
| Dative | den | Startnummern |
| Accusative | die | Startnummern |
Example Sentences
- Der Läufer befestigte die Startnummer an seinem Trikot.
(The runner attached the race number to his jersey.) - Kannst du meine Startnummer in der Liste finden?
(Can you find my race number on the list?) - Alle Teilnehmer erhielten ihre Startnummern bei der Anmeldung.
(All participants received their race numbers at registration.) - Die Zeitmessung erfolgt über einen Chip an der Startnummer.
(The timing is done via a chip on the race number.)
🏃♀️ When to use 'die Startnummer'?
Die Startnummer is primarily used in the context of competitions and contests:
- Sporting Events: Marathons, cycling races, ski races, track and field events, etc.
- Other Competitions: Sometimes also used in quiz shows, talent competitions, or similar events to identify participants.
It is essential for organizing and running such events. It's often also called Rennnummer (race number) or Teilnehmernummer (participant number), although Startnummer is the most common term in sports.
💡 Mnemonics for Startnummer
Here are some memory aids for the word and its article:
Article Mnemonic: Think of "Die Nummer" (the number). Many German nouns ending in "-nummer" are feminine (die Hausnummer, die Telefonnummer), and so is die Startnummer. Or imagine: The (female) athlete wears the number (using 'die' for feminine 'the').
Meaning Mnemonic: The number you get at the Start of a race is the Startnummer. Quite logical! It's the 'start number'.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Rennnummer: (Race number) Very common synonym, especially for running and racing events.
- Die Teilnehmernummer: (Participant number) More general term for a participant's number, not exclusively for sports.
- Das Leibchen: (Bib/vest) Often refers to the vest the number is printed on, but sometimes used synonymously for the number itself.
- Die Start-Nr.: Abbreviation.
Antonyms (opposites):
There isn't a direct antonym. Contextually, one might consider:
- Die Zielzeit: (Finishing time) The result, not the identification marker.
- Die Ranglistenposition: (Ranking position) The placement, not the identification number.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Läufer den anderen: "Hast du meine Startnummer gesehen?"
Sagt der andere: "Nein, aber wenn du langsam genug läufst, sehe ich sie vielleicht auf deinem Rücken!"
Translation:
One runner asks another: "Have you seen my race number?"
The other says: "No, but if you run slowly enough, maybe I'll see it on your back!"
📜 Poem about the Number
Am Start, ganz vorn, bereit zum Lauf,
trägt jeder stolz die Nummer auf.
Die Startnummer, sie zeigt es an,
wer heute rennt, als Frau, als Mann.
Ob eins, ob hundert, ob zehntausend gar,
sie macht uns alle zählbar, wunderbar!
Translation:
At the start, right up front, ready to run,
everyone proudly wears the number on.
The start number, it indicates,
who runs today, through destiny's gates.
Be it one, a hundred, or ten thousand bright,
it makes us all countable, a wonderful sight!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe Ziffern, doch kein Geld,
bin oft im Sport auf dieser Welt.
Man trägt mich vorn, mal hinten dran,
damit man dich erkennen kann.
Was bin ich?
→ Die Startnummer
Translation:
I have digits, but no money to hold,
I'm often in sports in this world, I'm told.
You wear me on front, sometimes on the back,
So everyone knows you, right on the track.
What am I?
→ The race number (die Startnummer)
🧩 Additional Info
Word Composition:
The word "Startnummer" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Der Start: The start (of a race or competition).
- Die Nummer: The number (a digit or combination of digits for identification).
Trivia:
- Sometimes specific start numbers have special significance (e.g., Startnummer 1 for the previous year's winner).
- In large marathons, start numbers are often assigned in blocks corresponding to expected finishing times.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Startnummer?
The German word "Startnummer" is always feminine. The correct article is die Startnummer. The plural is die Startnummern.