Werk Nummer or Werke Nummer?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

What is the correct German term: Werk Nummer or Werke Nummer? Werke and Werk in the singular seem to be used in many published works, but which one is strictly correct?

Cheers and thanks, Theo

[Nick Beale]

Werk is the singular form. So a factory number is a Werk Nummer (plural = Werk Nummern).

Werke is the the plural, so Werke Nummer (= "factories number") makes no sense to me (unless a native German speaker knows better!).

[Kaczmarek]

Hallo Theo,

Werk Nummer (W.Nr.) is correct.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

[RolandF]

To say it easy:

You say Werknummer, if you´re talking about fabrication.
You say Werkenummer, if you´re talking about the works of famous composers, writers or other artists.

Now you know that it sounds rather funny for a german, if he´s reading about Werkenummern(pl.) in this forum.

Werk is the equivalent of "works" which is used only in plural in English
Werke is the German plural of Werk, but is not relevant in this context.

The problem for foreign speakers is the double meaning of Werk, which designates not only the production site but also the product of labour in any case.

Hope this helps.

Regards
RolandF

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by RolandF

To say it easy:

Werk is the equivalent of "works" which is used only in plural in English

Hope this helps.

Regards
RolandF

Thank Roland. "Works" in English is deceptive, it may end with an "s" but it's used as a singular noun as well as a plural. A steelworks is one factory for example but you could also have two steelworks.

[Rasmussen]

Originally Posted by RolandF

Werke is the German plural of Werk, but is not relevant in this context.

I have to disagree ... of course it's relevant ... for example: VW-Werke, Bayer-Werke and so on ... if you are speaking about some more locations of fabrication ... (as an German native)

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks a lot for clarifying this matter chaps -it all makes sense to me now!

Cheers, Theo

[Theo Boiten]

.. and an additional question; which one is strictly correct the best abbreviation -'W. Nr.' or 'Wrk. Nr.'?

Cheers, Theo

[Nick Beale]

W.Nr. (with no space) for me but others will disagree, and Luftwaffe documents aren't exactly consistent either. Much more important, I think, to be consistent in using whichever version you choose.

[Delmenhorst]

Werk Nr.