01
die Mille
million
A colloquial expression for one million, usually referring to a unit of currency such as euros.
example
Für die Villa verlangt der Verkäufer glatt eine Mille.
The seller wants a cool million for the villa.
die Mille
million / thousand
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Register: colloquial
'Mille' is a colloquial expression used almost exclusively in informal conversations about money. In formal or written contexts, you should avoid the word.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto hat mich fünf Mille gekostet.
The car cost me five grand.
Context clue
In today's colloquial language, 'eine Mille' almost always means 'eine Million' (one million). The older meaning 'tausend' (thousand) has become very rare. If someone is talking about prices for houses, cars, or high salaries, it always means one million.
EXAMPLE
Er will sein Startup für zwei Mille verkaufen.
He wants to sell his startup for two million.
Origin of the word
The rarer meaning 'tausend' (thousand) comes directly from Latin or Italian, where 'mille' means thousand. This origin explains why the word has this second, now confusing meaning at all.
EXAMPLE
Für den alten Roller will er noch 'ne halbe Mille haben.
He still wants half a grand for the old scooter.
Compare with
Mille vs Million
million
'Million' and 'Mille' can both mean a very large number or a large amount of money. 'Million' is the normal, clear word for 1,000,000 and fits both official and everyday situations. 'Mille' is colloquial and is mostly used for money. It can also be ambiguous because it can also be used for thousand. Learners can therefore easily confuse the words. If the amount should be understood exactly and reliably, 'Million' is better. 'Mille' is more suitable in casual conversations.
Mille
Für das alte Haus verlangt der Verkäufer eine Mille.
The seller is asking a cool million for the old house.
Million
Nach der Nachricht spendete die Firma eine Million Euro für den Park.
After the news, the company donated one million euros for the park.
In real life
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