millimeter
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millimeter
A unit of measurement for length equal to one thousandth of a meter. The official unit symbol is 'mm'.
Diese Schraube hat einen Durchmesser von fünf Millimetern.
This screw has a diameter of five millimeters.
The word is made up of the Latin prefix 'Milli-' (one thousandth) and the base word 'Meter' (meter). So a 'Millimeter' is literally 'one thousandth of a meter.'
Das Brett ist um wenige Millimeter zu kurz.
The board is a few millimeters too short.
As with many units of measurement, 'Millimeter' (millimeter) stays in the singular or in an endingless plural form after numbers greater than one. You say 'zwei Millimeter' (two millimeters), not 'zwei Millimeteren'.
Die Toleranz bei diesem Bauteil beträgt nur zwei Millimeter.
The tolerance for this component is only two millimeters.
In technical texts, on packaging, or in scientific contexts, the official abbreviation 'mm' is almost always used.
Die Schraube hat einen Kopf von 10 mm Durchmesser.
The screw has a head with a diameter of 10 mm.
In the figurative meaning, 'Millimeter' (millimeter) is often used in negative expressions to express stubbornness. Typical phrases are 'keinen Millimeter nachgeben' (not to give in a millimeter) or 'keinen Millimeter abweichen' (not to deviate a millimeter).
Der Politiker wollte in der Debatte keinen Millimeter von seiner Position abrücken.
The politician did not want to move a millimeter from his position in the debate.
piece
'das Stück' and 'der Millimeter' can both be used to talk about length or distance. But 'ein Stück' is imprecise and only means part of a route or a certain distance. 'Ein Millimeter' is an exact unit of measurement and very small. Figuratively, 'Millimeter' can also simply mean a very small amount. So you say 'ein Stück weiter' (a bit farther) when the exact distance is not important. 'Millimeter' fits when you want to be very precise or emphasize that something is only minimal.
Beim Zeichnen in der Schule fehlt nur ein Millimeter bis zur Linie.
When drawing at school, there is only one millimeter missing to reach the line.
Die Mitarbeiterin geht am Abend noch ein Stück mit mir zur Haltestelle.
In the evening, the employee walks part of the way with me to the stop.