zeven

Zeven is the Dutch word for the number seven. It is used as the cardinal numeral in counting, specifying quantities, dates, and measurements. In everyday speech, it combines with nouns such as zeven dagen (seven days) or zeven keer (seven times). In ordinal form, zeven is used to derive zevende for “seventh.”

Etymology: Zeven comes from Proto-Germanic *sebun- and is cognate with English seven and German sieben. The Dutch form shows a voicing difference at the initial consonant compared with its Germanic relatives; the spelling with z reflects historical phonology in Dutch.

Geographic name: Zeven is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, in the district of Rotenburg (Wümme). It has a long history dating to medieval times and serves as an administrative center in its area.

Cultural note: The number seven appears across many cultures as a motif in religion, folklore, and mathematics, often associated with completeness or luck.