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Re: German words for "number"
Posted:
Feb 18, 1999 10:34 PM
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In article <36CB8C36.DF4@uwec.edu>, Ted R Shoemaker (shoematr@uwec.edu) writes:
>At least two words in the German language translate the English word
>"number": Zahl and Nummer. Can someone please tell me what is the
>distinction between them?
"Zahl" is used in more general, scientific or philosophical contexts
Zahlentheorie = number theory
Der Zahlenbegriff = the concept of number
rationale/irrationale Zahlen
"Anzahl" also means number in the sense of a certain quantity
Eine Anzahl Menschen = A number of people
but "Zahl" can also be used in this way
Eine grosse Zahl Besucher = a large number of visitors
"Nummer" is used for a particular numerical designation
Telefonnummer
Zimmernummer = room number
Zimmerzahl if anything would mean the number of rooms.
By a strange coincidence, I've just been checking the documentation
for an cash machine where
"Nummer der Einzugsbox" and
"Anzahl der Einzugsboxen"
are used. The first refers to a number that is marked on the box and
the second to the number of boxes into which notes are drawn.
I did not come across "Zahl der Einzugsboxen"
Lots of prefixes and suffixes can be added to "zahl" to form new
words Bezahlung = payment, Anzahlung = down payment"
To number something is "numerieren"
Number in the sense of grammatical number is "Numerus"
A number in the sense of a digit is "Ziffer"
"Zahl" is related to the English "tale" which used to mean a number
or a calculation. In German "erzaehlen" means to tell a story. In
English a "teller" (Zaehler) is someone who counts votes.
Iain Davidson Tel : +44 1228 49944
4 Carliol Close Fax : +44 1228 810183
Carlisle Email : iain@stt.win-uk.net
England
CA1 2QP
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