die Größe
size
The measurement that indicates how large something is, such as its length, width, height, or circumference.
EXAMPLE
Die Größe des Zimmers reicht für vier Personen aus.
The room is large enough for four people.
die Größe
size / greatness
die Größe, die Größen
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Meanings
die Größe
size
A specified measurement for clothing, shoes, or other products intended to fit a person or object.
EXAMPLE
Welche Größe brauchst du bei dieser Jacke?
What size do you need in this jacket?
die Größe
extent
The extent or scope of a quantity, value, or problem.
EXAMPLE
Die genaue Größe des Schadens ist noch nicht bekannt.
The exact extent of the damage is not yet known.
die Größe
quantity
A measurable value in mathematics or physics that describes a particular property.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschwindigkeit ist eine wichtige physikalische Größe.
Speed is an important physical quantity.
die Größe
greatness
A person's extraordinary importance, achievement, or intellectual or moral strength.
EXAMPLE
Ihre menschliche Größe zeigte sich besonders in dieser schwierigen Situation.
Her moral greatness was especially evident in this difficult situation.
die Größe
luminary
A famous or particularly important person in a particular field.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Festival traten echte Größen des Jazz auf.
The festival featured true jazz luminaries.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Größe, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Größen |
| genitive | der Größe |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Größe | die Größen |
| accusative | die Größe | die Größen |
| dative | der Größe | den Größen |
| genitive | der Größe | der Größen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Größe' belongs to the word family of 'groß' (big / large) and refers, depending on the context, to a measurement, an extent, or special importance. This connection helps you recognize the word's different uses.
EXAMPLE
Die Größe des Hauses beeindruckte alle Besucher.
The size of the house impressed all the visitors.
Es zeugt von Größe, einen Fehler offen zuzugeben.
It is a sign of greatness to admit a mistake openly.
Measurements
When referring to spatial measurements, 'Größe' often appears with details of 'Länge' (length), 'Breite' (width), 'Höhe' (height), or 'Umfang' (circumference). A genitive attribute often follows to specify exactly what is being measured.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Kauf haben wir die Größe der Fenster genau gemessen.
Before buying them, we measured the size of the windows carefully.
Clothing sizes
For clothing and shoes, a size is usually given with a number or a fixed designation. Typical phrases include 'eine Größe tragen' (to wear a size), 'eine Größe bestellen' (to order a size), and 'in Größe ...' (in size ...).
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte diese Hose in Größe 40 bestellen.
I would like to order these pants in size 40.
Describing extent
When referring to the extent of a problem, damage, or need, 'Größe' often appears with words such as 'genau' (exact), 'ungefähr' (approximate), or 'erheblich' (considerable). In this usage, it often refers to a quantity or scope that still needs to be determined.
EXAMPLE
Viele haben die Größe des Problems lange unterschätzt.
Many people underestimated the extent of the problem for a long time.
Technical language
In mathematics and physics, 'Größe' often appears in fixed phrases such as 'physikalische Größe' (physical quantity), 'messbare Größe' (measurable quantity), or 'Einheit einer Größe' (unit of a quantity). Such a quantity is normally measured and given with a unit.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Gerät kann man elektrische Größen wie Spannung und Stromstärke messen.
This device can measure electrical quantities such as voltage and current.
Moral greatness
In this meaning, 'Größe' often appears with 'menschlich' (human) or 'wahre' (true). Typical phrases include 'menschliche Größe zeigen' (to show moral greatness) and 'wahre Größe beweisen' (to prove one's true greatness); they refer to someone's behavior in a difficult or important situation.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der Niederlage zeigte die Mannschaft menschliche Größe.
Despite the defeat, the team showed moral greatness.
Important person
For a particularly important person, 'Größe' often appears in the phrase 'eine Größe auf dem Gebiet ...' (a leading figure in the field of ...) or 'eine Größe der ...' (a leading figure in ...). This is usually followed by an area such as art, music, sports, or science.
EXAMPLE
Sie gilt als eine Größe der modernen Architektur.
She is considered a leading figure in modern architecture.
In real life
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