zahllos
countless
So numerous that one cannot count them; innumerable.
EXAMPLE
Am Nachthimmel funkelten zahllose Sterne.
Countless stars sparkled in the night sky.
zahllos
countless
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'Zahl' (number) and the ending '-los' (-less). The ending '-los' means 'without,' so literally 'without number'—so many that one can no longer count them.
EXAMPLE
Es gibt zahllose Gründe, warum das Projekt scheiterte.
There are countless reasons why the project failed.
Typical collocations
'Zahllos' (countless) is often used to describe a very large, overwhelming quantity. Common combinations are 'zahllose Beispiele' (countless examples), 'zahllose Möglichkeiten' (countless possibilities), or 'zahllose Male' (countless times).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe es dir schon zahllose Male erklärt.
I have explained it to you countless times already.
Register and style
'Zahllos' (countless) is often used in written language or elevated language to emphasize a large quantity. It often sounds stronger and more poetic than other expressions.
EXAMPLE
Die Küste war mit zahllosen Muscheln bedeckt.
The coast was covered with countless shells.
Compare with
zahllos vs unzählig
countless
Both words describe such a large quantity that it can hardly be counted. In modern everyday language, unzählig is usually the neutral choice, whereas zahllos often sounds more literary or solemn. In factual conversations, unzählig is generally more suitable; in figurative language, zahllos may work better.
zahllos
Auf dem Platz versammelten sich zahllose Menschen.
Countless people gathered in the square.
unzählig
Auf dem Platz versammelten sich unzählige Menschen.
Countless people gathered in the square.
In real life
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