messen
to measure
To determine the size, quantity, temperature, or another property of something using a measuring device or a scale.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt hat meinen Blutdruck gemessen.
The doctor measured my blood pressure.
messen
to measure
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Meanings
messen
to measure
To have a specific size, length, height, or width.
EXAMPLE
Der Turm misst über 100 Meter.
The tower measures over 100 meters.
sich messen mit
to compete with
To compare oneself with someone or something, or enter into competition, in order to find out who is better or stronger.
EXAMPLE
Als kleiner Verein können wir uns nicht mit den großen Clubs messen.
As a small club, we can’t compete with the big clubs.
messen an
to judge by
To judge someone or something according to a particular criterion or standard.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte ein Buch nicht nur an seinem Umschlag messen.
You shouldn’t judge a book only by its cover.
Usage tips
Context clue
The verb 'messen' (to measure) has two main uses. It either describes an active action (a person measures something) or a static state (a thing has a certain size).
EXAMPLE
Der Handwerker misst die Breite der Tür.
The tradesperson measures the width of the door.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to determine a property', 'messen' (to measure) is often combined with medical or physical quantities. Typical examples are: 'Fieber messen' (to take someone’s temperature), 'den Blutdruck messen' (to measure blood pressure), 'die Temperatur messen' (to measure the temperature), or 'die Geschwindigkeit messen' (to measure speed).
EXAMPLE
Die Krankenschwester kommt gleich, um bei Ihnen Fieber zu messen.
The nurse will be here in a moment to take your temperature.
Reflexive with preposition
In the meaning 'to compare oneself', the verb is reflexive and is always used with the preposition 'mit' and the dative: 'sich mit jemandem/etwas messen' (to compete with someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Der junge Läufer möchte sich mit den besten Athleten der Welt messen.
The young runner wants to compete with the best athletes in the world.
Fixed expression
When 'messen' (to measure) is used in the sense of 'to judge', it takes the preposition 'an' and the dative. The structure is: 'jemanden/etwas an etwas (Dativ) messen' (to judge someone/something by something).
EXAMPLE
Man sollte Menschen nicht nur an ihrem Erfolg messen.
You shouldn’t judge people only by their success.
Compare with
messen vs vergleichen
to compare
Both words can refer to comparing performance. „Vergleichen“ is general and can neutrally assess similarities, differences, or quality; „sich messen mit“ emphasizes competition and the question of who is better or stronger. „Vergleichen“ usually fits an objective evaluation, while „sich messen“ fits a competition.
messen
Beim Wettkampf maßen sich die beiden Läufer über zehn Kilometer.
The two runners competed against each other over ten kilometers.
vergleichen
Die Trainerin verglich die Zeiten der beiden Läufer ganz sachlich.
The coach compared the two runners’ times objectively.
In real life
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