01
anderthalb
one and a half
A numeral that describes the amount 'one and a half' (1.5).
example
Der Film dauert anderthalb Stunden.
The film lasts one and a half hours.
anderthalb
one and a half
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'anderthalb' (one and a half) comes from an older form of the language. 'Ander' used to mean 'the second.' So 'anderthalb' literally means 'the second half,' meaning: one whole and half of the second.
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept brauche ich anderthalb Liter Milch.
For the recipe, I need one and a half liters of milk.
Grammatical use
'Anderthalb' (one and a half) is a numeral that is not declined; it always keeps this form. The following noun is in the plural if it is countable.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben anderthalb Stunden auf den Bus gewartet.
We waited one and a half hours for the bus.
Typical collocations
'Anderthalb' (one and a half) is very often used with units of time, weight, or measurement.
EXAMPLE
Er isst jeden Morgen anderthalb Brötchen zum Frühstück.
He eats one and a half rolls for breakfast every morning.
Compare with
anderthalb vs halb
half
'halb' and 'anderthalb' can both describe amounts, but they do not mean the same thing. 'halb' means only one half, so 0.5 of something. 'anderthalb' means one plus one half, so 1.5. The risk of confusion comes from the fact that 'halb' is part of 'anderthalb'. The important point is: 'ein halber Liter' (half a liter) is less than one liter, but 'anderthalb Liter' (one and a half liters) is more than one liter.
anderthalb
Wegen des Staus hat die Fahrt anderthalb Stunden gedauert.
Because of the traffic jam, the trip took one and a half hours.
halb
Sie hat für den Kurs nur eine halbe Stunde Zeit gehabt.
She only had half an hour for the course.
In real life
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