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How to represent the word "number"?

English translation: No.


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:How to represent the word \"number\"?
English translation:No.
Entered by: Oliver Simoes
Options:
- Contribute to this entry
- Include in personal glossary

10:56 Dec 9, 2011
English to English translations [Non-PRO]
Law/Patents - Law (general)
English term or phrase: How to represent the word "number"?
I'm working on a Portuguese to American English translation that refers to an ID Card number. The Portuguese word ("número") appears abbreviated in the original. How can I represent the word "number" in English? Is # acceptable? nmbr? no?
Oliver Simoes
Local time: 18:17
No.
Explanation:
No. is the accepted abbreviation for number. Or no. in a sentence.
Selected response from:

Liz Broomfield
United Kingdom
Grading comment
Thank you all for your help. That was my favorite option when I posted the question. It makes sense.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +12No.
Liz Broomfield
5 +3Depends on the target audience
Ty Kendall
5#Charlesp
4 -1Nr..nr
airmailrpl


  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +12
how to represent the word "number"?
No.


Explanation:
No. is the accepted abbreviation for number. Or no. in a sentence.

Liz Broomfield
United Kingdom
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Thank you all for your help. That was my favorite option when I posted the question. It makes sense.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Liz, thank you again.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack Doughty: Sometimes in the form №, but more often as you say.
5 mins
  -> Thank you!
agree  B D Finch: Though I think it should always have a capital letter, I see that New Oxford Dico for Writers and Editors allows lower case.
6 mins
  -> Indeed - which is one of the ref materials I use (I thought that too, but checked before posting)
agree  Martin Riordan
19 mins
  -> Thank you!
agree  Paul Lambert: No. is unmistakeable. # can have other meanings (and originally did)
36 mins
  -> Thank you!
agree  Hal D'Arpini: For ID numbers, definitely no. If this were straight text or prose, I'd spell it out, but since it's abbreviated in the source text, it sounds like it's the field name on a form or something similar.
43 mins
  -> Thank you!
agree  MARK ROBERTSON
1 hr
  -> Thank you!
agree  Philippe ROUSSEAU
1 hr
  -> Thanks!
agree  Trudy Peters
2 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  Samantha Payn
3 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  gallagy2
3 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  Charlesp: yes
1 day13 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  Jenni Lukac
2 days10 hrs
  -> Thank you!
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
how to represent the word "number"?
Nr..nr


Explanation:
how to represent the word "number"? => Nr..nr

CREATING CHECKS
www.davis.k12.ut.us/21381016112138170/lib/.../FACShelp.pdf
Once you have made your selection click on ... your printer with check paper and MICR Erini Bhfllrkfil ... Either enter student Id nr pick Id from list ...

CARDSCAN-APP-V1R00_20101231.doc (Read-Only)
https://www.dps.state.ms.us/.../CARDSCAN-APP-V1R00_20101231....
31 Dec 2010 – Your No (OCA) / Originating Agency Case Number. .... BLOCKS ON CARD THAT ARE NOT ENTERED ON CARD SCAN . ..... Mariner ID Nr ...

Applicant Fingerprint Card Instruction Manual
www.dps.state.ms.us/dps/.../CARD-APP-V1R03_20101231.pdf?...
31 Dec 2010 – After recording all pertinent information, either enter the data using a card ... fingerprinted that applies to the function of your organization and was assigned by the CIC. .... followed by the number (e.g., RCMP ID Nr 1234567). ...

CARDSCAN-ARR-V1R00_20101231.doc (Read-Only)
www.dps.state.ms.us/.../CARDSCAN-ARR-V1R00_20101231.pdf?...
31 Dec 2010 – BLOCKS ON CARD THAT ARE NOT ENTERED ON CARD SCAN. .... FORWARD. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with documentation and training provided by your card scan ..... Mariner ID Nr. National ...

airmailrpl
Brazil
Local time: 22:17
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Charlesp: no
1 day13 hrs
  -> references show you to be wrong
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +3
how to represent the word "number"?
Depends on the target audience


Explanation:
Liz's suggestion of "No." is definitely feasible, especially for a British/European audience.

It should also be noted that if the intended readership are Americans, then they often use "#" to represent "number".

From the link:
"The use of "#" as an abbreviation for "number" is uncommon in Britain, to the extent that many people would not even recognise the usage. Where Americans might write "Symphony #5", the British are more likely to write "Symphony No. 5"."

Therefore, I would take this into consideration before deciding which to use.


    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_sign
Ty Kendall
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:17
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 2

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Martin Riordan
11 mins
  -> Cheers Martin!
agree  Ambrose Li: Yes, # is quite prevalent on this side of the Atlantic
6 hrs
agree  AllegroTrans: # is fine for USA but not Europe
13 hrs
neutral  Charlesp: maybe
1 day13 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
how to represent the word "number"?
#


Explanation:
# is better than No. (for this type of document)
(and you said, American English)

Charlesp
Local time: 03:17
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Voters for reclassification
as
PRO / non-PRO		Non-PRO (3): Sangro, Ty Kendall, gallagy2


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Changes made by editors
Dec 9, 2011 - Changes made by gallagy2:
LevelPRO => Non-PRO


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