numara

Numara is a Turkish noun meaning number or numeral. It is used to express quantities, label items, or identify people and objects, as in telefon numarası (telephone number), oda numarası (room number), and kimlik numarası (identification number). In everyday language and mathematics, numara denotes numeric symbols, digits, and multi-digit values, serving to count, measure, and distinguish different items or positions.

Etymology and use in Turkish show that numara is a loanword, typically traced to French numero (and through that to Latin numero). The term entered Ottoman and modern Turkish usage as a general word for numbers and related concepts and remains widespread in contemporary Turkish. The word forms common compounds such as müşteri numarası (customer number), sipariş numarası (order number), and ürün numarası (product number). The related adjective numaralı means numbered or identified by a number.

In addition to its counting and labeling functions, numara has a specialized sense in Turkish performing arts. A numara can refer to a routine or act in a show, such as a song, dance, or skit performed on stage. This idiomatic use is common in cabaret, variety programs, and similar entertainment contexts, where individuals might “sergilemek bir numara” (perform a number).

Outside Turkish contexts, numara is not generally used with the same meanings, but Turkish speakers will recognize it as the standard word for numbers and for numbered identifiers.