Spotting one of these numbers on a restaurant bill or clock could earn you applause in Germany – and maybe a free schnapps. It can also help birthdays go with a bang.
What does Schnapszahl mean?
Literally, Schnapszahl, pronounced like this, breaks down to Schnaps (schnapps, a strong liquor) plus Zahl (number).
It’s a feminine noun (die Schnapszahl). The plural is die Schnapszahlen, but you’ll rarely need this as the context usually keeps things singular.
In everyday German, it describes a number where every digit repeats, such as 11, 222, or 7777 – the kind that makes people in the country grin and call it lucky.
Two origin stories explain the name. One suggests that when you’ve had too much to drink you might start seeing double and potentially mistake 1 for 11, for example.
The other claims the expression originally comes from pub games. The idea is that when a player got lucky and repeatedly hit the same winning score in dice, they were expected to buy everyone a round of schnapps.
Why do I need to know Schnapszahl?
This is a word that can bring you luck. In Germany, if a taxi fare lands on €5,55 or a clock shows 11:11 it’s often regarded as a harbinger of good fortune.
But the real magic of Schnapszahl is the way it adds to the number of “big” birthdays. Along with most countries in the world, Germany celebrates runde Geburtstage (“round birthdays” – or birthdays ending in a zero) with extra energy.
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But here, a Schnapszahl birthday (11, 22, 33 and so on up to 99) falls into a similar category. On these occasions, people often push the boat out with digit-themed decorations (all 3s for 33!) and – of course – plenty of schnapps.
Not everyone goes overboard, of course, but using the word when someone tells you they’re about to turn 33 or 44 is one sure-fire way of showing you’ve arrived in Germany.
The word Schnaps also pairs neatly with the word Idee. In German, a Schnapsidee refers an idea so bad it can only have been conceived under the influence of too much drink.
Calling your ex after five beers? Classic Schnapsidee.
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Use it like this
Am 11.11 geboren? Das ist eine echte Schnapszahl
Born on the 11th of the 11th? That’s a real lucky number
Die Rechnung ist genau €5,55 – eine glückliche Schnapszahl
The bill is exactly €5.55 – a lucky number
Nächstes Jahr wird sie 33: ein perfekter Schnapszahl-Geburtstag
Next year she’ll turn 33: a perfect Schnapszahl birthday
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