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
Both words refer to the official identification of a vehicle. Kennzeichen mainly means the combination of letters and numbers or its official designation, while Nummernschild refers more strongly to the visible plate. When asking for the identifier, „Kennzeichen“ is appropriate; when describing the plate itself, „Nummernschild“ is appropriate.
Das Nummernschild des Wagens ist so schmutzig, dass man die Buchstaben kaum lesen kann.
The car’s license plate is so dirty that the letters are barely legible.
Bitte notieren Sie das Kennzeichen des Wagens, der vor dem Eingang steht.
Please write down the license plate number of the car parked in front of the entrance.
