die Eins
one
The number 1 or the numeral 1.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Null kommt die Eins.
One comes after zero.
die Eins
one
die Eins, die Einsen
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Meanings
die Eins
top grade
The best school grade in the German grading system.
EXAMPLE
Für ihre Klassenarbeit bekam sie eine Eins.
She got a top grade on her class test.
die Eins
one on a die
A roll of a die showing one pip.
EXAMPLE
Sie würfelte eine Eins und durfte ein Feld vorrücken.
She rolled a one and was allowed to move forward one space.
die Eins
the number 1 (bus or train line)
Colloquially: the bus or train line numbered 1.
EXAMPLE
Die Eins fährt alle zehn Minuten bis zum Hauptbahnhof.
The number 1 runs to the main station every ten minutes.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Eins, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Einsen |
| genitive | der Eins |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Eins | die Einsen |
| accusative | die Eins | die Einsen |
| dative | der Eins | den Einsen |
| genitive | der Eins | der Einsen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Substantivized number
'Eins' (one) is a number word used as a noun and is therefore capitalized. As a noun, it often appears with an article or a preposition, for example in fixed expressions and sequences of quantities.
EXAMPLE
Die Eins steht am Anfang der Zahlenreihe.
One stands at the beginning of the number sequence.
Wir zählen von der Eins bis zur Zehn.
We count from one to ten.
Context clue
The intended meaning is usually clear from the surrounding words: when counting, it refers to the number; with 'bekommen' (to get) or 'schreiben' (to write), it often refers to a school grade; with 'würfeln' (to roll a die), it refers to the die; and with 'nehmen' (to take), 'fahren' (to travel), or 'einsteigen' (to get on), it refers to a bus or train line.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Arbeitsblatt fehlt noch die Eins.
The one is still missing from the worksheet.
Für den Test hat Jonas eine Eins bekommen.
Jonas got a top grade on the test.
Zum Bahnhof nehme ich die Eins.
I take the number 1 to the station.
Number usage
For the number, 'die Eins' (one) is used especially when counting, comparing, or identifying a position. Common expressions include 'bei der Eins anfangen' (to start with one), 'die Eins wählen' (to dial one), and 'die Eins auf der Tastatur drücken' (to press one on the keyboard).
EXAMPLE
Bitte drücke die Eins auf der Tastatur.
Please press one on the keyboard.
Die Nummer beginnt mit der Eins.
The number starts with one.
Typical collocations
In a school context, 'die Eins' (a top grade) often appears with verbs such as 'bekommen' (to get), 'schreiben' (to receive on a test), and 'geben' (to give). The expression 'mit einer Eins abschließen' (to finish with a top grade) also refers to an excellent school-leaving result.
EXAMPLE
Mira hat in Mathematik eine Eins geschrieben.
Mira got a top grade in math.
Er möchte das Schuljahr mit einer Eins abschließen.
He wants to finish the school year with a top grade.
In real life
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