das Komma
comma
A punctuation mark (,) used to structure sentences, separate parts of sentences, or list elements.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Wort „aber“ steht in diesem Fall ein Komma.
Before the word 'aber' (but), there is a comma in this case.
das Komma
comma
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Meanings
das Komma
decimal comma
The symbol that, in German number notation, separates the whole-number part from the fractional part (decimal separator).
EXAMPLE
Die Rechnung beträgt genau vierundzwanzig Komma neunzig Euro.
The bill comes to exactly twenty-four euros ninety.
ohne Punkt und Komma reden
to talk nonstop
A fixed expression meaning that someone speaks continuously and very quickly, without taking breaks.
EXAMPLE
Er war so aufgeregt, dass er ohne Punkt und Komma von seinem Erlebnis erzählte.
He was so excited that he talked nonstop about his experience.
Usage tips
Common mistake
In German, the comma is used as the decimal separator, not the period as in English. This is especially important with prices and units of measurement.
EXAMPLE
Das Buch kostet 19,95 € (neunzehn Euro fünfundneunzig).
The book costs €19.95 (nineteen euros ninety-five).
Pronouncing numbers
When reading a decimal number aloud, you say the word 'Komma' (comma). The number 3,14 is read as 'drei Komma eins vier' (three point one four) or 'drei Komma vierzehn' (three point fourteen).
EXAMPLE
Pi ist ungefähr drei Komma eins vier.
Pi is approximately three point one four.
Typical verbs
When referring to the punctuation mark, the typical verbs are 'ein Komma setzen' (to put/place a comma), 'ein Komma machen' (to make a comma), or 'ein Komma weglassen' (to leave out a comma).
EXAMPLE
Ich bin unsicher, ob ich hier ein Komma setzen muss.
I'm not sure whether I need to put a comma here.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'ohne Punkt und Komma reden' (to talk nonstop) is a fixed unit. It describes someone speaking very quickly and continuously.
EXAMPLE
Sie war so aufgeregt, dass sie ohne Punkt und Komma redete.
She was so excited that she talked nonstop.
Compare with
Komma vs Punkt
point
Punkt and Komma are both punctuation marks, but they serve different purposes in a sentence. A Punkt ends a sentence, while a Komma separates parts of a sentence or elements in a list. Use Punkt at the end of a sentence and usually Komma for an internal separation.
Komma
Zwischen den beiden Satzteilen steht ein Komma.
There is a comma between the two parts of the sentence.
Punkt
Nach dem letzten Satz steht ein Punkt.
There is a period after the last sentence.
In real life
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