The idea
Höchstens means at most; its opposite is mindestens, at least. Both stand directly before the number. “Maximal” is a common synonym, especially in writing. Die Obergrenze and die Höchstzahl are the nouns for the limit. “Abhängen von” is separable and takes the dative: hängt von den Anmeldungen ab. Bestätigen in the passive state, “ist bestätigt”, means confirmed.
Other ways to say it
“Wir brauchen maximal zehn Stück.” – Neutral; maximal is common in orders and emails.
“Mehr als zehn werden es auf keinen Fall.” – Casual; stresses that ten will not be exceeded.
“Der Bedarf liegt bei höchstens zehn Exemplaren.” – Formal; suits written requests and planning documents.
Examples
- Für die Gruppe brauchen wir höchstens zehn Mappen.We need at most ten folders for the group.
- Sind zehn schon als Teilnehmerzahl bestätigt?Has ten already been confirmed as the participant count?
- Nein, das ist nur die mögliche Obergrenze.No, that is only the possible upper limit.
- Dann bestelle ich nicht automatisch genau zehn.Then I will not automatically order exactly ten.
- Die endgültige Menge hängt von den Anmeldungen ab.The final quantity depends on registrations.
- Gut, wir unterscheiden Höchstzahl und tatsächlichen Bedarf.Good; let us distinguish the maximum number from actual requirements.
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Watch out
“Wir brauchen zehn Mappen höchstens.” → “Wir brauchen höchstens zehn Mappen.”: English can put “at most” at the end, but German höchstens must stand directly before the number it limits.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: We need at most ten folders for the group.
Show answer or example answer
Für die Gruppe brauchen wir höchstens zehn Mappen.
“Für die Gruppe” first, then brauchen, then wir. Höchstens stands right before “zehn Mappen”.
Put the words in order: das / die / ist / mögliche / Nein / nur / Obergrenze
Show answer or example answer
Nein, das ist nur die mögliche Obergrenze.
Das refers to the number ten. Nur and mögliche mark it as a possible limit, not a confirmed figure.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us distinguish the maximum number from actual requirements.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, wir unterscheiden Höchstzahl und tatsächlichen Bedarf.
“Unterscheiden” takes two accusative objects joined by und. Tatsächlich means actual: der tatsächliche Bedarf.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: We need at most ten folders for the group.
Für die Gruppe brauchen wir höchstens zehn Mappen.
Put the words in order: das / die / ist / mögliche / Nein / nur / Obergrenze
Nein, das ist nur die mögliche Obergrenze.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us distinguish the maximum number from actual requirements.
Gut, wir unterscheiden Höchstzahl und tatsächlichen Bedarf.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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You are ordering pizza for a team meeting and do not know yet who is coming. Tell the restaurant with Sie that you need at most six pizzas and will confirm the number later.