das Drittel
third
One of three equal parts of a whole.
EXAMPLE
Ein Drittel der Befragten war mit dem Vorschlag nicht einverstanden.
One third of the respondents did not agree with the proposal.
das Drittel
third
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Meanings
das Drittel
period
One of three sections of play in certain sports, such as ice hockey.
EXAMPLE
Die Heimmannschaft schoss im letzten Drittel noch zwei Tore.
The home team scored two more goals in the final period.
Usage tips
Word formation
The word 'Drittel' (third) is derived from the ordinal number 'dritte' (third). The ending '-el' is often used in German to form fractions, for example also in 'Viertel' (quarter) or 'Achtel' (eighth).
EXAMPLE
Für den Kuchen brauchen wir nur ein Drittel der Zuckermenge.
For the cake, we only need one third of the amount of sugar.
Grammatical usage
When 'Drittel' (third) describes a share of something, the quantity is usually followed by the genitive (more formal) or connected with 'von' + dative (more common in spoken language).
EXAMPLE
Ein Drittel der Studierenden kommt aus dem Ausland.
One third of the students come from abroad.
Context clue
The meaning 'Spielabschnitt' (period/section of play) is clearly recognizable from context. When words like 'Eishockey' (ice hockey), 'Spiel' (game), 'Tor' (goal), or phrases like 'im letzten Drittel' (in the final period) appear, this sports-related meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft konnte das Spiel im letzten Drittel noch drehen.
The team was still able to turn the game around in the final period.
Compare with
Drittel vs dritt
third
Dritt and Drittel both relate to the number three, but they do not mean the same thing. Zu dritt describes three people doing something together, while ein Drittel means one of three equal parts. Use dritt for a group of people and Drittel for a portion.
Drittel
Jede der drei Familien bekam ein Drittel des Kuchens.
Each of the three families received a third of the cake.
dritt
Wir gingen zu dritt zum Markt und kauften frisches Gemüse.
The three of us went to the market and bought fresh vegetables.
In real life
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