die
Überzahl
🔢 What does "die Überzahl" mean?
The word die Überzahl describes a state where one group or quantity is numerically larger than another. It essentially means a majority or numerical superiority.
- Generally: A larger number of people or things compared to another group.
- In sports (e.g., ice hockey, soccer): A situation where one team temporarily has more players on the field than the opposing team, often due to a penalty against the opponent. This is often referred to as "in Überzahl spielen" (to play with a numerical advantage / on a power play).
- Military/Strategic: A numerical superiority of troops or resources.
There is only the article die for this word because it's an abstract noun describing a quantity or state.
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 and Declension of "Überzahl"
The noun "Überzahl" is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular. A plural form exists formally ("die Überzahlen"), but it's very rarely used, as the concept is usually understood as a whole.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Überzahl |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Überzahl |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Überzahl |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Überzahl |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Überzahlen |
| Genitive | der | Überzahlen |
| Dative | den | Überzahlen |
| Accusative | die | Überzahlen |
Example Sentences
- Die angreifende Mannschaft nutzte ihre Überzahl geschickt aus.
(The attacking team cleverly exploited their numerical advantage.) - Bei der Abstimmung war die Überzahl der Befürworter deutlich.
(In the vote, the majority of supporters was clear.) - Wir waren in der Überzahl, aber der Gegner verteidigte gut.
(We had superior numbers / were in the majority, but the opponent defended well.) - Die Überzahl an Touristen im Sommer kann anstrengend sein.
(The excessive number / preponderance of tourists in summer can be tiring.)
💡 How to use "die Überzahl"?
"Die Überzahl" is used to express quantitative dominance.
- In Sports: Very common in team sports when a team has more players due to penalties etc. (e.g., "ein Tor in Überzahl schießen" - to score a power-play goal).
- Social/Political: To describe majorities in votes, groups, or populations (e.g., "Die Überzahl der Anwesenden stimmte dafür" - The majority of those present voted in favor).
- Everyday Life: Also more generally for any situation where one side is numerically superior (e.g., "Die Bienen waren gegenüber den Wespen klar in der Überzahl" - The bees clearly outnumbered the wasps).
You can also say someone or something is "in der Überzahl" (outnumbering / in the majority). The opposite is "in der Unterzahl" (outnumbered / in the minority).
🧠 Mnemonics for "Überzahl"
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'die Zahl' (the number) which is feminine in German. When something goes 'über' (over, above) that number, implying more, it stays feminine: die Überzahl.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine an 'Uber' car arriving with way too many passengers for a party – they are 'über' (over) the expected 'Zahl' (number). They are in der Überzahl (in the majority/outnumbering others).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Die Mehrheit: (The majority) Very similar, often interchangeable, perhaps emphasizes the larger part of a specific group slightly more.
- Die Majorität: (The majority) Loanword, often used in political or statistical contexts.
- Die Übermacht: (Superior power/force, supremacy) Can imply numerical superiority, but often emphasizes strength or influence more than just numbers.
- Der Überschuss: (Surplus, excess) Usually refers to things left over, not necessarily people in a confrontation.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Die Unterzahl: (Numerical inferiority, minority) Direct opposite.
- Die Minderheit: (The minority) The smaller part of a group.
- Die Minorität: (The minority) Loanword for minority.
⚠️ Similar Words:
😂 A Little Joke
Warum gewinnen Ameisen immer gegen Grashüpfer beim Tauziehen?
Weil sie immer in der Überzahl sind! 😉
(Why do ants always beat grasshoppers at tug-of-war?
Because they always outnumber them!)
📜 Poem about Überzahl
Im Spiel, im Kampf, im Rat der Leut',
zählt oft, wer mehr zur Stelle heut'.
Die Überzahl, mal laut, mal leis',
entscheidet oft den Sieg, den Preis.
Doch Weisheit, Mut und Strategie
wiegen manchmal mehr als sie.
(In game, in fight, in people's council bright,
counts often who brings more to site.
Numerical superiority, sometimes loud, sometimes low,
often decides the win, the show.
But wisdom, courage, strategy's art
sometimes outweigh it from the start.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin kein König, doch hab oft Macht,
werde im Sport und Streit erdacht.
Hab ich mehr Leute auf meiner Seit',
gewinn' ich leichter den Wettstreit.
Was bin ich?
(I am no king, yet often hold sway,
Conceived in sports and fights each day.
If I have more people on my side,
I win the contest with easier stride.
What am I?)
(Answer: Die Überzahl / Numerical superiority)
🧩 Word Details & Origin
The word "Überzahl" is a compound word formed from:
- über: Prefix meaning 'over', 'above', 'more than'.
- die Zahl: The base word meaning 'number', 'count'.
It literally describes a number that is 'over' or 'above' another (implied or explicit) number.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Überzahl?
The German word "Überzahl" always uses the article die. It is a feminine noun (die Überzahl, Genitive: der Überzahl) and means majority or numerical superiority.
