TOPIC · Miscellaneous (Anders)

Units of measurement - Maßeneinheiten

A1

After the lesson, I will be able to recognize and correctly use the important measurement units in German.

Measurement Units in German

Measurement units are essential in many aspects of our lives, whether in everyday conversation, science, or commerce. In this lesson, we will explore the important measurement units used in the German language.

UnitName
kmKilometer
mMeter
cmCentimeter
mmMillimeter
μmMicrometer
haHectare
m²Square meter
m³Cubic meter
lLiter
mlMilliliter
tTonne
kgKilogram
gGram
mgMilligram
hHour
minMinute
sSecond
km/hKilometers per hour
0 °CCelsius

Usage of Measurement Units

Units of measurement are often used to specify quantities. For example:

  • "Der Abstand beträgt 5 Kilometer." (The distance is 5 kilometers.)
  • "Ich habe 2 Liter Wasser." (I have 2 liters of water.)

Singular and Plural of Measurement Units

In German, there is a crucial distinction in the usage of units when it comes to the noun. If we use "Glas" as a measurement unit, we would say:

  • "Ich bestelle zwei Glas Bier." (I order two glasses of beer.)

However, if we consider "Glas" as an object, we use the plural form:

  • "Ich habe zwei Gläser Bier." (I have two glasses of beer.)

This distinction mainly applies to masculine and neuter nouns. For feminine nouns, we always use the plural, for example:

  • "Ich trinke zwei Tassen Kaffee." (I drink two cups of coffee.)

Conclusion

Measurement units are an essential part of the German language. They allow us to make precise statements about lengths, weights, and volumes.