01
das Prozent
percent
One hundredth of a whole; a unit of measurement used to express shares and proportions.
example
Die Partei erhielt bei der Wahl 25 Prozent der Stimmen.
The party received 25 percent of the votes in the election.
das Prozent
percent
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Meanings
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Usage tips
No plural after numbers
A very important rule: after a number greater than one, 'Prozent' (percent) is always used in the singular. You say 'zwei Prozent' (two percent) or 'fünfzig Prozent' (fifty percent).
EXAMPLE
Die Miete wurde um fünf Prozent erhöht.
The rent was increased by five percent.
Word structure
The word 'Prozent' (percent) comes from Latin ('per centum') and literally means 'by the hundred'. This helps you remember its meaning as 'one hundredth'.
EXAMPLE
Fünfzig Prozent der Bevölkerung leben in Städten.
Fifty percent of the population lives in cities.
Colloquial expression
The expression 'hundert Prozent' (one hundred percent) is often used colloquially like an adverb and then means 'completely', 'absolutely', or 'definitely'.
EXAMPLE
Bist du sicher? – Ja, hundert Prozent!
Are you sure? – Yes, one hundred percent!
Indicating changes
To express a change in percent, you often use the verbs 'steigen' (to rise), 'sinken' (to fall), or 'wachsen' (to grow) with the preposition 'um' (by).
EXAMPLE
Die Arbeitslosigkeit ist um zwei Prozent gesunken.
Unemployment has fallen by two percent.
Compare with
Prozent vs komplett
complete / completely
'hundert Prozent' and 'komplett' can both express that something is whole or complete. 'hundert Prozent' often sounds somewhat colloquial and emphasizes strong certainty or full agreement. 'komplett' is used when something is completely finished or when nothing is missing. With things, lists, or tasks, 'komplett' often sounds more natural. When you are especially certain, 'zu hundert Prozent' (one hundred percent) fits well.
Prozent
Nach dem Test bin ich zu hundert Prozent sicher, dass meine Antwort richtig ist.
After the test, I am one hundred percent sure that my answer is correct.
komplett
Die Liste für den Einkauf ist jetzt komplett.
The shopping list is now complete.
In real life
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