zählen
/ˈtsɛːlən/
The German verb for 'to count' is zählen.
zählen is used for the mathematical act of enumerating items or determining a number. It is also used idiomatically in the phrase auf jemanden zählen, which means 'to count on someone' or 'to rely on someone'.
Meaning: to enumerate or determine number (verb)
Which one should you use?
While zählen refers to the act of counting numbers, you should use rechnen when you mean performing calculations or arithmetic.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form (Präteritum) is zählte. To form the perfect tense, use the past participle gezählt, as in Ich habe gezählt (I have counted).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtsɛːlən/
Did you know?
- The German word zählen is a distant relative of the English word 'tell'. In Old English and other Germanic languages, 'telling' someone something was originally the act of counting or enumerating a list of facts.
- In German music and dance, zählen is used specifically for keeping the beat or time, which is a rhythmic application of the word beyond simple enumeration.
- The German word for a calculator, Rechenmaschine, is built from the verb rechnen (to calculate) rather than the verb zählen (to count).
Examples in context
- Wir zählen auf dich.We count on you.This sentence shows the idiomatic use of zählen meaning 'to rely on'.Tatoeba #1816311 by pne, translation #1388963 by CK
- Er kann nicht zählen.He can't count.This sentence uses zählen to refer to the ability to count numbers.Tatoeba #881940 by Esperantostern, translation #300223 by CK
- Ich kann nicht zählen.I don't know how to count.This sentence uses zählen to describe the knowledge of how to count.Tatoeba #13463725 by mhr, translation #13467688 by rul
- Können Sie die Bücher zählen?Can you count the books?
- Kannst du die Äpfel zählen?Can you count the apples?
- Wir müssen das Geld zusammenzählen, um sicherzugehen, dass wir genug haben.We need to count the money together to make sure we have enough.
- Kannst du die richtige Anzahl an Münzen angeben?Can you state the correct count of coins?
- Es ist wichtig, die Papierstapel vor dem Drucken zu zählen.It's important to count the stacks of paper before printing.
- Lass uns das Besteck zählen, um sicherzustellen, dass nichts fehlt.Let's count the cutlery to ensure nothing is missing.
- 153 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are organizing a group of friends.
- JuliaWie viele Leute kommen heute Abend?How many people are coming tonight?
- MaximilianIch muss die Gäste noch einmal zählen.I still need to count the guests again.
- JuliaHast du die Liste schon fertig?Have you finished the list already?
- MaximilianJa, ich habe uns alle gezählt.Yes, I have counted us all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “count” translations and entries zählen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zählen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
