Sechs

Sechs is the German word for the number six. In ordinary writing the numeral is written as sechs, but when the word is used as a noun to mean the digit itself, it is commonly capitalized as die Sechs (for example, “die Sechs auf dem Würfel”). It also appears in phrases indicating time, such as um sechs Uhr (at six o’clock).

Etymology and cognates: Sechs derives from the Proto-Germanic root *seks-, which is cognate with similar words for the number in other Indo-European languages, such as English six, Dutch zes, Swedish sex, Danish seks, and Icelandic sex. The German form has undergone phonological changes typical of the Germanic branch, including the initial consonant cluster and vowel developments that separate it from related words in other languages.

Usage and number formation: In German, the basic numeral system is used for counting and arithmetic. Numbers from 1 to 19 have unique names; twenty and higher are formed through combinations of units and tens. For numbers 21–99 the unit comes before the tens with the connector und, as in einundzwanzig (21) or zweiunddreißig (32). The tens themselves include sechzig for sixty. The word sechzehn (sixteen) shows the fusion of six with ten in a reduced form. German numbers also appear in compounds such as sechsunddreißig (thirty-six).

Other uses: Die Sechs can refer to the die face showing six, or to a grade on the German school scale, where a Sechs is the lowest grade in many systems and often signals failure. The phrase um sechs Uhr is a common way to indicate a time.

See also: English six; six in other languages; Roman numeral VI.