negen

Negen is the Dutch word for the number nine. It serves as the cardinal numeral in counting and is used in contexts such as dates, quantities, measurements, and numerical expressions. The corresponding ordinal form is negende (e.g., de negende keer).

Etymology: Negen is cognate with the English nine and the German neun. All derive from a common Proto-Germanic root, though exact reconstructions vary among linguists; the resemblance across West Germanic languages is clear.

Numerical properties: In mathematics, nine is a composite number equal to 3×3 and the square of 3. It is the highest single-digit number in base-10 counting. The digit-sum rule for multiples of nine—adding digits yields a multiple of nine—is a well-known property used in quick divisibility checks.

Usage and culture: The number nine appears in calendars, time expressions (negen uur), and various phrases. In sports, the jersey number 9 is commonly worn by forwards or strikers. In many cultures, pregnancies are described as lasting about nine months.