This page covers the German words for common mathematical operations, from basic arithmetic to more advanced calculations.
Important Operations
Here are the most commonly used German terms for basic mathematical operations:
| German Operation | German Example | English Operation | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition (die Addition) | plus 2 ist 4. | Addition | plus 2 is 4. |
| Subtraktion (die Subtraktion) | minus 3 ist 2. | Subtraction | minus 3 is 2. |
| Multiplikation (die Multiplikation) | mal 3 ist 12. | Multiplication | times 3 is 12. |
| Division (die Division) | geteilt durch 2 ist 5. | Division | divided by 2 is 5. |
| Gleichheit (die Gleichheit) | ist gleich 7. | Equality | equals 7. |
| Unbekannte (die Unbekannte) | x plus 2 ist 5. | Unknown | x plus 2 is 5. |
| Klammer (die Klammer) | (3 plus 2) mal 4. | Parenthesis | (3 plus 2) times 4. |
These are the building blocks for expressing math problems in German.
Advanced Operations
These German terms appear in more complex math problems:
| German Operation | German Example | English Operation | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potenz (die Potenz) | hoch 3 ist 8. | Exponentiation | to the power of 3 is 8. |
| Wurzel (die Wurzel) | Die Quadratwurzel aus 9 ist 3. | Root | The square root of 9 is 3. |
| Prozent (das Prozent) | Prozent von 50 sind 10. | Percent | percent of 50 is 10. |
| Bruch (der Bruch) | /2 plus 1/4 ist 3/4. | Fraction | /2 plus 1/4 is 3/4. |
| Gleichung (die Gleichung) | Löse die Gleichung 2x + 3 = 7. | Equation | Solve the equation 2x + 3 = 7. |
These terms will help you understand and describe more sophisticated mathematical concepts.
20 Prozent von 50 ___ 10. (German: 20 Prozent von 50 sind 10.)
sind
When referring to a portion of a quantity (like percentages), German uses 'sind' because the subject is plural.
Sample Problems
Here are some example problems using German math operation vocabulary:
| German Problem | English Problem |
|---|---|
| Was ist 7 plus 5? | What is 7 plus 5? |
| Subtrahiere 4 von 10. | Subtract 4 from 10. |
| Multipliziere 6 mit 3. | Multiply 6 by 3. |
| Teile 20 durch 4. | Divide 20 by 4. |
| Löse 3x = 9. | Solve 3x = 9. |
Try working through these problems to practice the vocabulary in context.
Was ___ 7 plus 5? (German: Was ist 7 plus 5?)
ist
'Was ist 7 plus 5?' is the correct way to ask "What is 7 plus 5?" in German.
Now you know the German vocabulary for math operations, from basic arithmetic to algebra!
Flashcards (1 of 17)
- English Operation: Addition
- English Example: 2 plus 2 is 4.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
