01
das Kg
kg
The abbreviation for 'Kilogramm' (kilogram), the base unit of mass in the International System of Units. One kilogram equals 1000 grams.
example
Ein Paket Mehl wiegt normalerweise ein Kg.
A package of flour normally weighs one kg.
das Kg
kg
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Meanings
Usage tips
Writing and speech
'Kg' is an abbreviation that is found almost only in written texts. When speaking, people instead say the full word 'Kilogramm' (kilogram) or, even more commonly, the short form 'Kilo' (kilo).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Rezept steht: „Bitte 2 Kg Kartoffeln mitbringen“.
The recipe says: 'Please bring 2 kg of potatoes.'
Use with numbers
When 'Kg' is used with a number greater than one, the abbreviation remains unchanged. You do not add a plural 's'.
EXAMPLE
Der Koffer darf nicht mehr als 23 Kg wiegen.
The suitcase must not weigh more than 23 kg.
Word structure
The full word is 'Kilogramm' (kilogram). The prefix 'Kilo-' comes from Greek and means 'thousand'. It is also found in other units of measurement such as 'Kilometer' (1000 meters) or 'Kilowatt' (1000 watts).
EXAMPLE
Ein Kilometer sind tausend Meter.
One kilometer is one thousand meters.
Compare with
Kg vs Pfund
pound
'das Kg' and 'das Pfund' can both indicate weights. The important difference is the amount: one kilogram is 1000 grams, while one 'Pfund' in Germany is 500 grams. So one 'Pfund' is half a kilogram. Learners may confuse the words because you hear both when shopping or cooking. If a recipe says '1 kg', you need twice as much as for '1 Pfund'. The other meanings of 'Pfund', for example as a currency, are not meant here.
Kg
Für die Suppe kauft Mehmet 2 kg Kartoffeln.
Mehmet buys 2 kg of potatoes for the soup.
Pfund
Ein Pfund Erdbeeren reicht heute für den Kuchen.
A pound of strawberries is enough for the cake today.
In real life
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