dritteln
to divide into thirds
To divide something into three equal parts.
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept müssen Sie den Teig dritteln und zu drei Strängen formen.
For the recipe, you need to divide the dough into thirds and shape it into three strands.
dritteln
to divide into thirds
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb 'dritteln' (to divide into thirds) is derived directly from the number 'drei' (three) or the fraction 'das Drittel' (the third). It describes the action of dividing something into three parts.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben den Kuchen gerecht gedrittelt, sodass jeder ein Stück bekam.
We divided the cake fairly into thirds, so that everyone got a piece.
Sentence structure with accusative
'Dritteln' (to divide into thirds) always needs an accusative object. This object is the thing that is divided into three parts.
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderer drittelten die verbleibende Wasserflasche unter sich auf.
The hikers divided the remaining bottle of water into thirds among themselves.
Typical collocations
'Dritteln' (to divide into thirds) is often used in contexts where something is being divided up. Typical objects are 'Kosten' (costs), 'Gewinne' (profits), 'ein Betrag' (an amount), 'eine Strecke' (a route/distance), or ingredients in recipes such as 'Teig' (dough).
EXAMPLE
Die drei Freunde haben beschlossen, die Kosten für das Geschenk zu dritteln.
The three friends decided to divide the cost of the gift into thirds.
Compare with
dritteln vs teilen
to share / divide
Teilen does not specify how many parts are created without additional information. Dritteln already means dividing something into three equal parts. Both work when something is divided into three equal parts, but dritteln directly expresses the number and equality of the parts.
dritteln
Sie drittelt den Teig.
She divides the dough into thirds.
teilen
Sie teilt den Teig in drei gleich große Teile.
She divides the dough into three equal parts.
In real life
Loading video examples...