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das Kilo
kilo
The colloquial short form of kilogram, a unit of measurement for mass equal to 1000 grams.
example
Ich hätte gerne ein Kilo Kartoffeln, bitte.
I'd like a kilo of potatoes, please.
das Kilo
kilo
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Short form of kilogram
'Kilo' is the common short form of 'Kilogramm' (kilogram). The word element 'Kilo-' comes from Greek and means 'thousand', so one thousand grams.
EXAMPLE
Ein Kilo entspricht eintausend Gramm.
One kilo is equal to one thousand grams.
Use as a unit
When 'Kilo' is used as a unit of measurement with a number greater than one, it usually stays singular in German. You say 'zwei Kilo Äpfel' (two kilos of apples), not 'zwei Kilos Äpfel'.
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept brauche ich drei Kilo Mehl.
For the recipe, I need three kilos of flour.
Meaning in jargon
The meaning 'one thousand euros' is pure jargon and very colloquial. Use this expression only when you are sure the person you are talking to understands it, since it is not generally known.
EXAMPLE
Er hat für die Uhr angeblich zwei Kilo bezahlt.
He supposedly paid two grand for the watch.
Compare with
Kilo vs Pfund
pound
'das Kilo' and 'das Pfund' are both units of weight and often come up when shopping. 'Kilo' is the short form of 'Kilogramm' and means 1000 grams. 'Pfund' usually means 500 grams in Germany, so half a kilo. The words can be confused because both are used to state quantities of food. The amount is what matters: one kilo is twice as much as one 'Pfund'.
Kilo
Auf dem Markt kauft Maria ein Kilo Äpfel für den Kuchen.
At the market, Maria buys a kilo of apples for the cake.
Pfund
Im Supermarkt nimmt er ein Pfund Kaffee aus dem Regal.
At the supermarket, he takes a pound of coffee from the shelf.
In real life
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