Which to use
“Datei” and “Datum” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #5,814
- “Datei” frequency rank
- #3,303
- “Datum” frequency rank
- 9117
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Datei | Datum |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | auf einem Datenträger gespeicherte und durch einen Namen identifizierte Daten | Angabe des Kalendertages |
Where the eye mixes Datei and Datum
Muted = shared; highlighted = the visual trap. They share 3 letters in sequence.
Why the eye confuses Datei with Datum
A purely visual mix-up. Datei ([daˈtaɪ̯]) and Datum ([ˈdaːtʊm]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they share most of their letters but differ in 2 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 9117, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
Datei is recorded at frequency rank #5,814, classified as anoun, pronounced [daˈtaɪ̯]. Datum is at rank #3,303, tagged as anoun, pronounced [ˈdaːtʊm].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 9117, this pair ranks #1,981,400 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of Datei vs Datum
Shared letters: adt. Private to "Datei": ei. Private to "Datum": mu.
"Datei" · 5 letters · shape CVCVV · "Datum" · 5 letters · shape CVCVC
Known mistypes of this pair
Frequently Asked Questions
Is swapping "Datei" for "Datum" ever safe?
Which is more common, "Datei" or "Datum"?
After this comparison
Pronunciation already separates them, if the page still looks alike, the dictionary links below settle it.
- Full dictionary entry for "Datei" with definition, IPA, and generated misspellings. Word entry
- Full dictionary entry for "Datum" - compare definitions side by side with the headword page. Word entry
- This pair ranks #1,981,400 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs in this corpus vintage. Corpus statistics
- "Datei" and "Datum" also get mixed up with nearby pairs, the highest-scored neighbour is "dare vs Datei". Nearby pair
- Recorded mistypes exist for at least one side of this pair, useful when a spell-checker or OCR lands on the wrong form. See mistypes
Confusion rank #1,981,400 of 2,006,359 scored German pairs, corpus vintage 2026-09-03, not spelling advice.