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
das Kilo, die Kilo
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Meanings
das Kilo
grand
In jargon, a colloquial term for one thousand units of a currency, especially euros.
EXAMPLE
Sein neues Auto hat angeblich 30 Kilo gekostet.
His new car supposedly cost 30 grand.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kilo, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kilo |
| genitive | des Kilos |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Kilo | die Kilo die Kilos |
| accusative | das Kilo | die Kilo die Kilos |
| dative | dem Kilo | den Kilo den Kilos |
| genitive | des Kilos | der Kilo der Kilos |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
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 Kg
kg
Kg and Kilo refer to the same unit of mass here. Kg is the written abbreviation for Kilogramm (kilogram), while Kilo is the common colloquial short form. Kg is therefore appropriate on forms, while Kilo is usually used in conversation.
Kilo
Beim Einkauf bestelle ich fünf Kilo Äpfel.
I order five kilos of apples when I go shopping.
Kg
Im Bestellformular steht bei der Einheit „Kg“.
The unit field on the order form says “Kg.”
In real life
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