sechs
/zɛks/
The English number six is said in German as sechs. Wiktionary also lists sächs.
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sechs | /zɛks/ (Germany) /sɛks/ |
|
| sächs | Alemannic German |
sechs is a cardinal number used for counting. When referring to the written digit itself as a noun, the capitalized form Sechs is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
sächs is used in Alemannic-German dialects, which are spoken in parts of southwestern Germany and Switzerland.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say the ordinal number 'sixth', the form changes to sechsten depending on the grammatical case. To express the number sixty, the base sechs is modified to sechzig.
How do you pronounce it?
/zɛks/
Did you know?
- In German schools, receiving a sechs on a test is the worst possible grade, as it represents a total failure. This is the opposite of the US system where '6' would be high, or the UK where it is a passing grade.
- The pronunciation of the 'chs' in sechs can be tricky because, in many German dialects, it is pronounced like a simple 'ks' sound, making it sound almost identical to the English word 'sex'.
- The phrase sechs Tage is often used in German idiomatic contexts to describe a full working week, excluding Sunday. This reflects the traditional Christian 'six days of creation' and labor.
Examples in context
- Komm um sechs heim!Come home at six.This sentence shows how to use sechs when specifying a time.Tatoeba #1790625 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1432096 by CK
- Das Kind wird sechs.The child will be six.This sentence shows how to use sechs to state an age.Tatoeba #714552 by jakov, translation #714347 by CM
- Warte bis sechs Uhr!Wait until six o'clock.This sentence shows how to use sechs in the context of 'six o'clock'.Tatoeba #2708554 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10569618 by sundown
- Meine Telefonnummer endet mit sechs.My phone number ends with six.
- Ich habe sechs Jahre an der Universität studiert.I studied for six years at the university.
- Der Flug geht um sechs Uhr ab.The flight departs at six o'clock.
- Lass uns um sechse im Café treffen.Let's meet at six o'clock in the café.
- 597 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are talking about buying apples.
- FelixIch kaufe sechs Äpfel.I am buying six apples.
- LauraDas ist eine gute Menge.That is a good amount.
- FelixWir brauchen sechs für den Kuchen.We need six for the cake.
- LauraDann nimm bitte noch mehr.Then please take some more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “six” translations and entries sechs, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
