INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL FOR
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
SJIF 2019: 5.222 2020: 5.552 2021: 5.637 2022:5.479 2023:6.563 2024: 7,805
eISSN :2394-6334 https://www.ijmrd.in/index.php/imjrd Volume 12, issue 06 (2025)
143
THE SEMANTICS OF NUMBERS IN GERMAN PHRASEOLOGY
Abdurakhmonov Alisher
Teacher, Department of Western Languages, Oriental University
Abstract:
This article presents information on the semantics of numbers in German phraseology,
specifically on the characteristics and significance of numbers in idiomatic expressions formed
with numerals.
Keywords:
phraseology, numerical idiomatic expressions, intonation, minimal segment,
numerical component.
Despite the existence of various linguistic studies describing the nature of numerical
phraseologisms, the specific meanings and symbols of numbers have not been thoroughly
analyzed. At the same time, there is significant interest in the symbolic and even mystical aspects
of numbers. This article presents how the symbolism of numbers is reflected in language and,
accordingly, in its integral part—idiomatic expressions, specifically in the German language.
German contains many short, meaningful, witty, and metaphorical phrases known as
idioms, and the branch of linguistics studying them is phraseology. Idioms reflect folk wisdom
and have existed in the language for decades or even centuries, as people enjoy metaphorical
expressions conveying humor and satire. Phraseology holds an important place in language due to
its richness of meaning, imagery, conciseness, and vividness. Therefore, idioms originate from
various sources, including the speech of professionals that later entered the literary language.
Some idioms are based on historical events of a nation or ancient myths and legends. Other
idioms have come from religious texts, folk sayings, and the expressions of writers, scholars, and
public figures.
H.Burger categorizes idioms into three groups:
1. Expressions denoting objects, processes, and phenomena of reality.
2. Structural expressions establishing grammatical relationships.
3. Communicative idioms fulfilling specific functions in interaction. [1]
Idioms are equivalent to inseparable word combinations assigned to specific grammatical
categories. For example: „j-m eins auf die Birne geben“ (“to hit someone on the head”), „über
zwei Ecken j-n/etw kennen“ (“to know someone or something indirectly”). [2]
The structural-semantic classification of idioms is based on the degree of semantic
integration of their components. According to this classification, idioms are divided into four
groups:
1. Idiomatic combinations
2. Idiomatic units
3.Idiomatic collocations
4. Idiomatic expressions[3]
Idioms are crucial in learning a language because they add color and expressiveness,
making the author's message more understandable and convincing. Studying idioms scientifically
contributes to a better understanding of the language itself. They are closely related to vocabulary,
and analyzing them helps understand their structure, formation, and usage in language.
INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL FOR
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
SJIF 2019: 5.222 2020: 5.552 2021: 5.637 2022:5.479 2023:6.563 2024: 7,805
eISSN :2394-6334 https://www.ijmrd.in/index.php/imjrd Volume 12, issue 06 (2025)
144
A number is a concept that serves to express quantity and is one of the ways the category
of quantity is manifested in language. The initial stage in forming the abstract category of quantity
involves establishing the equivalence of concrete sets of objects. The concept of number emerged
as a result of counting individual items. Over time, physical form and objectivity were replaced by
the abstract notion of number. [5]
The external relationships and characteristics of objects or their parts are most precisely
expressed through numbers. The function includes identifying the relation of numerical
components to numbers or other parts of speech. A “numerical component” in an idiom is a word
that includes an explicit or implicit reference to a number. In idioms, numerical components
acquire new meanings. [5]
Comparing idioms with the number “one,” it is evident that these are among the most
frequently used in German. Examples include:
- “Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen” (First the work, then the pleasure) – First fulfill duties,
then relax. Grammatically composed of a numeral, noun, and conjunction.
- “Mir ist alles eins” (It’s all the same to me) – Semantically neutral; composed of a noun,
pronoun, verb, and numeral.
- “Sich mit j-m eins wissen (fühlen)” (To share someone’s opinion) – Emotionally expressive;
consists of a preposition, verb, and numeral.
- “Einswerden (sein)” – (To agree, to come to an agreement).
- “J-m eins auf/vor die Birne geben,” “J-m eins auf die Nase geben” – (To slap someone).
Unlike idioms, in proverbs and sayings, the process of synonymy within the language
takes place.
The next group examined includes idioms with the number “two.” A distinctive feature of
these expressions is the existence of equivalents with similar components, semantics, and syntax
in other languages. Examples include:
- German: “Niemand kann zwei Herren dienen.” (You can only serve one master.) Uzbek: “Bir
ishning boshini tutgan ma’qul.”
- German: “Man soll nicht zwei Hasen auf einmal jagen.” Uzbek: “Ikkita quyonni quvgan bitta
ham tutolmaydi.” [6]
More examples can be given, but even those provided show the parallels between German
and Uzbek idioms. Although similar, there are slight differences in their semantics.
Idioms are used as indivisible units and typically do not allow for rearrangement of their
components. Their semantic coherence can vary widely—from meanings that cannot be derived
from the components, to partially motivated ones. The process of a word combination becoming a
stable idiom is called lexicalization. [7]
In conclusion, the meaning of each idiom is often based on the qualities, symbolism, or
associations connected with the number it includes. This illustrates how idioms with numerical
components reflect national and cultural characteristics.
Refernces:
1.
Burger, H. Phraseologie / H. Burger – Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag GmbH & Co. KG,
2015. – 241 s.
INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL FOR
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
SJIF 2019: 5.222 2020: 5.552 2021: 5.637 2022:5.479 2023:6.563 2024: 7,805
eISSN :2394-6334 https://www.ijmrd.in/index.php/imjrd Volume 12, issue 06 (2025)
145
2.
Vasilev N.L. Til va tegishli semiotik tizimlar // Vestn. Mord. universitet - Saransk, 1996.
3.
Шанский, Н.М. Фразеология современного русского языка / Н.М. Шанский – М.:
Высшая школа, 1985. – 186 с.
4.
Likhter Yu. Nemis tilidagi raqamlarning ramziyligi // Vestn. stud. ilmiy orollar. -
Yaroslavl, 2005. - No 3. - C. 102-104.
5.
Liskova N.N. Zamonaviy nemis tilining og'zaki komplekslarining bir qismi sifatida EINS
sonining semantikasi // Til birliklarining semantik-stilistik jihatlari. - Ufa, 1990. - S. 44-48.
6.
K.Nasarov, Sh.Imyaminova, N.Tjan “Minimum der deutschen Sprichwörter und
Redensarten Zamin nashr, Toshkent 2020
7.
Maglakelidze J.G. Badiiy matndagi raqamlarning ramziyligi// Inostr. lang. maktabda - M.,
1991. - No 6. - S. 42-46.
