Nummer
/ˈnʊmɐ/
The German word for number is Nummer.
Nummer is used to refer to a label, an identifier or a sequence, such as a house number or a phone number. For example, while you might ask for someone's Nummer to get their contact details, you would use the compound noun Telefonnummer for a phone number, though Nummer is often sufficient if the context is clear. If you wish to label or assign numbers to things, you can use the verb nummerieren and if you want to express a total or an amount, use the verb zählen.
Meaning: abstract entity used to describe quantity (noun)
Which one should you use?
There is an important distinction between Nummer and Zahl. Use Nummer for an identifier or a label (like a street number). Use Zahl when referring to a mathematical concept, a digit or a quantity.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Nummer is Nummern.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnʊmɐ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use Nummer when you are talking about a mathematical value or a digit. For example, if you want to say 'the number five' in a mathematical sense, you should say die Zahl fünf instead of die Nummer fünf.
Did you know?
- The phrase eine Nummer zu groß literally means 'one number too large' and is used to describe a task or opponent that is beyond one's capabilities.
- In the context of entertainment, eine Nummer refers to a specific comedy sketch or a choreographed performance piece.
- The word Nummer entered the German language from the Italian numero, which originates from the Latin numerus.
Examples in context
- Gib mir die Nummer.Give me the number.This sentence shows how to request a specific Nummer.Tatoeba #5408631 by sarefo, translation #806747 by CM
- Wie ist deine Nummer?What's your phone number?This sentence is useful for asking for someone's phone Nummer.Tatoeba #10967047 by Yorwba, translation #466624 by CM
- Tom wählt eine Nummer.Tom is dialling a number.This sentence illustrates using Nummer in the context of dialing a phone number.Tatoeba #1661280 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1661202 by Amastan
- 211 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are talking about a hotel reservation.
- SarahHast du die Reservierungsnummer?Do you have the reservation number?
- JulianJa, ich habe die Nummer hier.Yes, I have the number here.
- SarahKannst du mir die Nummer sagen?Can you tell me the number?
- JulianKlar, die Nummer ist 502.Sure, the number is 502.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Nummer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Nummer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
