Zählen
/ˈt͡sɛːlən/
The English word "counting" is translated into German as Zählen.
Zählen refers to the act of making a count. When you want to express the idea of "counting on someone" or "counting on something," you use the phrase auf jemanden/etwas zählen.
Meaning: act of making a count (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Zählen refers to the act or verb of counting, the German word die Anzahl is used to describe the resulting "number" or "amount" of items that were counted.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a substantive noun meaning "the counting," the word is capitalized and takes the neuter gender as das Zählen. In the expression for "counting on someone/something," the preposition auf is followed by the accusative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtsɛːlən/
Did you know?
- The German word Zählen is a distant cousin of the English word 'tell'. In Old English and other Germanic languages, the word for 'counting' and the word for 'recounting a story' were the same.
- The word Zahl for 'number' is the root of Zählen, but in older German texts, you might find it used to describe a specific payment or a 'tally' of debts.
- The word Anzahl refers to the quantity of things, but if you want to talk about a specific 'number' or 'figure' like a telephone number, you must use Nummer instead.
Examples in context
- Fang an zu zählen.Start counting.Tatoeba #4941760 by Hans_Adler, translation #2111525 by CK
- Wir zählen auf dich.We're counting on you.Tatoeba #1816311 by pne, translation #3310944 by CK
- Wir zählen auf eure Hilfe.We're counting on you to help.Tatoeba #1562707 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1140045 by CK
- Ich habe drei Äpfel.I have three apples.
- In dem Kurs sind zwanzig Teilnehmer.There are twenty participants in the course.
- Nimm fünf Stück Schokolade.Take five pieces of chocolate.
- Er hat sieben Bücher in seinem Regal.He has seven books on his shelf.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are organizing a charity event.
- HannahWie läuft das Zählen der Spenden?How is the counting of the donations going?
- FelixFelix macht das gerade allein.Felix is doing it alone right now.
- HannahSoll ich ihm beim Zählen helfen?Should I help him with the counting?
- FelixJa, das wäre sehr nett von dir.Yes, that would be very kind of you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 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.
