zahl

Zahl is a German noun meaning number, digit, or amount. It denotes a numeric value used for counting, labeling, or measuring. The plural is Zahlen; examples include eine Zahl (a number) or die Gesamtzahl (the total number).

Zahl contrasts with Ziffer, which refers to a single digit, and with Zahlzeichen, the symbol that denotes a number (such as 0–9). In grammar, Zahlwort is a numeral; Ordnungszahlen are ordinal numbers. The term is widely used in mathematical and everyday contexts to discuss quantities and values.

In mathematics, Zahl is used to describe different classes of numbers: natürliche Zahlen (natural numbers), ganze Zahlen (integers), rationale Zahlen (rational numbers), reelle Zahlen (real numbers), and komplexe Zahlen (complex numbers). Terms like Primzahlen (prime numbers) and zusammengesetzte Zahlen (composite numbers) are common. The concept appears in related phrases such as Zahlensystem (number system) and Zahlensymbol (numeral symbol).

Zahl is also a German surname. The word has Germanic roots related to counting, and in modern usage it primarily denotes numeric values, though historical and linguistic contexts reflect its counting origin.