license plate
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license plate
An official plate on a motor vehicle that displays the registration number with a unique combination of letters and numbers.
Der Fahrer hat nach dem Unfall Fahrerflucht begangen, aber ein Zeuge konnte sich das Nummernschild merken.
The driver fled the scene after the accident, but a witness was able to remember the license plate.
The word is made up of 'Nummer' (number) and 'Schild' (plate/sign). The 'n' between them is a linking element. The article 'das' comes from the head noun 'das Schild'.
An der Unfallstelle fand die Polizei ein abgefallenes Nummernschild.
At the scene of the accident, the police found a license plate that had fallen off.
In everyday language, 'Nummernschild' (license plate) is often combined with verbs like 'ablesen' (to read off), 'sich merken' (to remember), 'notieren' (to note down), or 'erkennen' (to recognize).
Können Sie das Nummernschild des Wagens vor uns ablesen?
Can you read the license plate of the car in front of us?
In Austria, the term 'die Nummerntafel' is also very common for 'Nummernschild' (license plate). In Switzerland, people say 'Kontrollschild'.
Der Polizist überprüfte die Nummerntafel des Autos.
The police officer checked the car’s license plate.
license plate / characteristic
'das Kennzeichen' and 'das Nummernschild' both mean the official plate with letters and numbers on a vehicle. In this context, the words can often be used in the same way. 'Nummernschild' is very clear and concrete in everyday language. 'Kennzeichen' can sound a bit more official and can also mean the letter-number combination itself. Important: 'Kennzeichen' also has other meanings, but for cars it is practically a synonym of 'Nummernschild'.
Wegen des Schmutzes konnte man das Nummernschild kaum lesen.
Because of the dirt, the license plate was barely readable.
Nach dem Unfall notierte der Fahrer das Kennzeichen des anderen Autos.
After the accident, the driver wrote down the license plate of the other car.