01
das Datum
date
The exact indication of a specific day in the calendar, usually consisting of day, month, and year.
example
Vergiss nicht, das Datum auf dem Vertrag einzutragen.
Don't forget to enter the date on the contract.
das Datum
date
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
'Das Datum' (the date) refers only to the calendar day. A romantic meeting, called 'a date' in English, is 'ein Date' or 'eine Verabredung' in German.
EXAMPLE
Können wir eine Verabredung für nächste Woche ausmachen?
Can we make an appointment for next week?
Typical question
To ask for the current date, you use the fixed question: 'Welches Datum haben wir heute?' (What is today's date?). The answer often begins with 'Heute ist der...' (Today is the...).
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, welches Datum haben wir heute?
Excuse me, what is today's date?
Giving a date
To state a date, you use the preposition 'am' followed by the day as an ordinal number and the month. For example: 'am ersten Mai' (on the first of May).
EXAMPLE
Mein Geburtstag ist am 28. Februar.
My birthday is on February 28.
Writing format
In Germany, the date is written in the order day.month.year, for example 31.12.2023. This is different from American English (month/day/year).
EXAMPLE
Bitte senden Sie die Unterlagen bis zum 15.09.2024 zurück.
Please send the documents back by September 15, 2024.
Compare with
Datum vs Tag
day
'der Tag' and 'das Datum' can both point to a specific point in the calendar. However, 'Tag' is more general: it can mean a particular day or a special occasion. 'Datum' more specifically means the calendar date, for example with day, month, and year. Learners often confuse the words because you hear both in connection with appointments. If you are asking which calendar day is meant, 'Datum' fits better. If you are talking about the whole day or the occasion, 'Tag' is more natural.
Datum
Im Kalender notiere ich das Datum für den Arzttermin.
I write the date for the doctor's appointment in my calendar.
Tag
Der Tag der Prüfung ist für viele Schüler sehr wichtig.
The day of the exam is very important for many students.
In real life
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