01
die Nummer
number
A digit or a sequence of digits used for identification, for example a phone number, house number, or account number.
example
Könntest du mir bitte deine neue Nummer geben?
Could you please give me your new number?
die Nummer
number
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Nummer' (number) is a very productive component of many compound nouns in German. You can recognize it in words like 'Hausnummer' (house number), 'Telefonnummer' (phone number), 'Kontonummer' (account number), or 'Zimmernummer' (room number).
EXAMPLE
Notieren Sie sich bitte die Auftragsnummer für zukünftige Anfragen.
Please write down the order number for future inquiries.
Fixed expression
A very common idiom is 'auf Nummer sicher gehen' (to play it safe). It means that you don't want to take any risks and want to take extra precautions just in case.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe die Daten doppelt gespeichert, nur um auf Nummer sicher zu gehen.
I saved the data twice, just to play it safe.
Sentence structure with preposition
When you want to state which phone number someone can be reached at, you use the preposition 'unter' (at). The typical phrasing is: 'unter der Nummer ... erreichbar sein' (to be reachable at the number ...).
EXAMPLE
Sie erreichen unseren Kundenservice unter der Nummer 0800 12345.
You can reach our customer service at the number 0800 12345.
Typical use
When shopping for clothes or shoes, the question 'Welche Nummer haben Sie?' (What size are you?) is common. To ask for a different size, you say 'eine Nummer größer' (one size larger) or 'eine Nummer kleiner' (one size smaller).
EXAMPLE
Dieser Pullover passt nicht, ich brauche ihn eine Nummer kleiner.
This sweater doesn't fit; I need it one size smaller.
Register: colloquial
Calling a person a 'Nummer' (character) is colloquial. Depending on the context, it can be slightly admiring ('eine tolle Nummer' — a great character), critical ('eine seltsame Nummer' — a strange character), or simply descriptive.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf bei dem Verkäufer, das ist eine ganz komische Nummer.
Watch out with that salesperson; he's a really weird character.
Fixed expression
The colloquial expression 'eine Nummer abziehen' (to pull a stunt) is a fixed unit. It means that someone carries out an unexpected, often negative or tricky action.
EXAMPLE
Er hat an der Kasse eine unglaubliche Nummer abgezogen, um nicht bezahlen zu müssen.
He pulled an unbelievable stunt at the checkout so he wouldn't have to pay.
Compare with
Nummer vs Typ
guy / type
'der Typ' and 'die Nummer' can both colloquially describe a person with a distinctive way about them. 'der Typ' is more general: you can use it to say how someone comes across or what kind of person they are. 'die Nummer' is more strongly colloquial and often evaluative. You say it when someone seems special, odd, cheeky, or impressive. Learners may confuse the words because both can characterize a person. However, 'Typ' is much more normal and can be used more broadly; 'Nummer' fits better in casual conversations and often does not sound completely neutral.
Nummer
Mein Nachbar ist wirklich eine Nummer, denn er erzählt jeden Tag neue verrückte Geschichten.
My neighbor is really quite a character, because he tells new crazy stories every day.
Typ
Max ist ein ruhiger Typ, der lieber zuhört als viel zu reden.
Max is a quiet type who prefers listening to talking a lot.
In real life
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