die Vier
four
The number 4 or the symbol used to write this number.
EXAMPLE
Deine Vier sieht fast wie eine Neun aus.
Your four looks almost like a nine.
die Vier
four
die Vier, die Vieren
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Meanings
die Vier
a grade of four
A school grade with the numerical value 4. In the German grading system, it means “sufficient” (ausreichend), the lowest passing grade.
EXAMPLE
In der Mathearbeit hat sie eine Vier bekommen.
She got a grade of four on her math test.
die Vier
a four
A playing card with four symbols of one suit or a dice roll showing four dots.
EXAMPLE
Er würfelte eine Vier und rückte seine Figur um vier Felder vor.
He rolled a four and moved his piece forward four spaces.
die Vier
the number four bus/tram
Colloquial: public transportation on route 4.
EXAMPLE
Mit der Vier fährst du direkt vom Bahnhof zum Rathaus.
You can take the number four bus directly from the train station to city hall.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Vier, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Vieren |
| genitive | der Vier |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Vier | die Vieren |
| accusative | die Vier | die Vieren |
| dative | der Vier | den Vieren |
| genitive | der Vier | der Vieren |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Substantivized number word
“Vier” (four) is capitalized as a noun when it refers to the number, a grade, a card, or a dice roll. In these uses, it is often preceded by the definite article “die” (the) or the indefinite article “eine” (a).
EXAMPLE
Die Vier auf dem alten Schild ist kaum noch zu erkennen.
The four on the old sign is barely recognizable.
Writing the number
When referring to the written number, typical expressions include “eine Vier schreiben” (to write a four), “eine Vier erkennen” (to recognize a four), and “eine Vier zeichnen” (to draw a four). The focus is on the symbol itself, not on an evaluation.
EXAMPLE
Bitte schreibe die Vier noch einmal deutlicher.
Please write the four more clearly.
Typical collocations
In the school context, “eine Vier bekommen” (to get a grade of four) or “eine Vier schreiben” (to get a grade of four on a test) refers to a specific performance on an assignment or exam. “Eine Vier haben” (to have a grade of four) also describes someone's current grades.
EXAMPLE
In der Englischarbeit hat Jonas eine Vier geschrieben.
Jonas got a grade of four on his English test.
Context clue
Verbs such as “würfeln” (to roll the dice) and expressions such as “Augen haben” (to show a certain number of dots) usually indicate a dice roll. Words from the card game context, such as “Karte” (card), “Farbe” (suit), or “ziehen” (to draw), point to a playing card.
EXAMPLE
Beim Würfeln hatte sie eine Vier.
She rolled a four.
Beim Kartenspiel zog er eine Vier aus dem Stapel.
He drew a four from the deck.
Means of transportation
In public transportation, “die Vier” (the number four) can refer to route 4. Typical expressions include “mit der Vier fahren” (to take route 4), “die Vier nehmen” (to take route 4), and “in die Vier einsteigen” (to get on route 4).
EXAMPLE
Wir nehmen die Vier bis zum Marktplatz.
We'll take the number four bus to the market square.
In real life
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