case number
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case number
The number of registered cases of a particular event or phenomenon within a defined period of time, especially for illnesses, accidents, or crimes.
Das Gesundheitsamt meldet eine sinkende Fallzahl bei den Grippeinfektionen.
The health department is reporting a falling case number for flu infections.
The word is a compound of 'der Fall' (case, here in the sense of 'an event') and 'die Zahl' (number). So it literally means the 'Zahl der Fälle' (number of cases).
Die Polizei registrierte eine hohe Fallzahl von Diebstählen in diesem Quartal.
The police registered a high case number for thefts this quarter.
'Fallzahl' (case number) is very often combined with verbs that describe a change, such as 'steigen' (to rise), 'sinken' (to fall), 'zunehmen' (to increase), or 'abnehmen' (to decrease). Typical adjectives are 'hoch' (high), 'niedrig' (low), 'steigend' (rising), or 'sinkend' (falling).
Die Fallzahlen der Neuinfektionen sind stark gestiegen.
The case numbers for new infections have risen sharply.
This word is mainly used in the news and in scientific or official reports. The most common topics are medicine (illnesses), criminology (crimes), and sociology.
Die Regierung beobachtet die Entwicklung der Fallzahlen sehr genau.
The government is watching the development of the case numbers very closely.
number
'die Anzahl' and 'die Fallzahl' both have to do with something countable. 'die Anzahl' is general and works for people, things, or events. 'die Fallzahl' is more specific: you use it when registered cases are being counted, for example illnesses, accidents, or crimes. Learners may confuse the words because a case number is also a number. But not every number is a case number. If it is just about a quantity, 'Anzahl' is more natural. If it is about reported or officially counted cases, 'Fallzahl' fits better.
In den Nachrichten wurde über die neue Fallzahl der Grippeinfektionen berichtet.
The news reported on the new number of flu infection cases.
Die Anzahl der Teilnehmer ist seit gestern deutlich gestiegen.
The number of participants has risen significantly since yesterday.