The N-Rule With Numbers and Abbreviations

Level 5

Say the number or letters out loud, then apply the n-rule: den 1. Abrëll (éischten) but de 5. Abrëll (fënneften); en SMS (Ess) but e BMW (Bee).

How It Works

1. Numbers
Read the number as a word and look at its first sound:

  • den 1. Abrëll: éischten starts with a vowel.
  • de 5. Abrëll: fënneften starts with f.
  • den 23. Juni: dräianzwanzegsten starts with d, so the n stays.
  • den 9. Mee: néngten starts with n, so the n stays.

See Ordinal Numbers and Dates and Writing Numbers.

2. Abbreviations read letter by letter
Here the name of the first letter counts. F (Eff), L (Ell), M (Emm), N (Enn), R (Er) and S (Ess) start with a vowel sound, so the n stays even though a consonant is written:

  • den LCTO-Programm, en SNJ-Ausfluch, en SMS
  • but e BMW: B is read Bee, which starts with b.

3. Abbreviations read as a word
Short words like Nato or Aids are read like normal words, so their first sound counts: den Nato-Fliger, den Aids-Test. For everyday short forms such as wgl., see Common Abbreviations.

4. The same idea as always
This is still the ordinary n-rule. You only have to remember that you apply it to the spoken form.

Examples (6)

  1. Den 1. Abrëll gi mer an d'Vakanz.

    On 1 April we are going on holiday.

    Say éischten: it starts with a vowel, so den keeps its n.

  2. De 5. Abrëll hunn ech Gebuertsdag.

    My birthday is on 5 April.

    Say fënneften: it starts with f, so de loses its n.

  3. Den 23. Juni ass Nationalfeierdag.

    23 June is the National Day.

    Dräianzwanzegsten starts with d, and the n stays before d.

  4. Du kriss nach den Owend en SMS vu mir.

    You'll get a text from me this evening.

    S is read Ess, which starts with a vowel sound.

  5. Mir maachen en SNJ-Ausfluch.

    We are going on an SNJ outing.

  6. Hie fiert e BMW.

    He drives a BMW.

    B is read Bee, so en loses its n.

Common Mistakes

  • Going by the written digit instead of the spoken word.

    De 1. Mee ass e Feierdag.
    Den 1. Mee ass e Feierdag.

    1. is read éischten, which starts with a vowel. So den keeps its n.

  • Going by the written letter instead of the letter name.

    Ech schécken der e SMS.
    Ech schécken der en SMS.

    S is read Ess, which starts with a vowel sound. So en keeps its n.

  • Keeping the n before a number that starts with a consonant sound.

    Den 5. Abrëll hunn ech Gebuertsdag.
    De 5. Abrëll hunn ech Gebuertsdag.

    5. is read fënneften, which starts with f. So den loses its n.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

The N-Rule With Numbers and AbbreviationsLevel 5

Learn This First

Before The N-Rule With Numbers and Abbreviations, learn The N Stays Before Punctuation, Writing Numbers and Common Abbreviations.