square meter
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square meter
A unit of measurement for area, corresponding to the area of a square with sides one meter long.
Die neue Wohnung hat eine Wohnfläche von 75 Quadratmetern.
The new apartment has a living area of 75 square meters.
The word is made up of 'Quadrat' (square) and 'Meter' (meter). So it literally describes a square area whose sides are each one meter long.
Für den neuen Teppich müssen wir die Quadratmeter des Zimmers ausmessen.
For the new carpet, we need to measure the square meters of the room.
When a number comes directly before it, the form 'Quadratmeter' is used, even when it refers to more than one. The plural form 'Quadratmetern' is only used with a preposition like 'von' (of/from).
Das Büro ist 120 Quadratmeter groß.
The office is 120 square meters in size.
In written texts, especially in apartment listings or on construction plans, the abbreviation 'm²' or, less commonly, 'qm' is often used.
Wohnung zu vermieten: 3 Zimmer, 80 m², Balkon.
Apartment for rent: 3 rooms, 80 m², balcony.
meter
'der Meter' and 'der Quadratmeter' are both units of measurement, but they do not measure the same thing. 'Meter' is used for lengths, for example the length of a room or the height of a person. 'Quadratmeter' is used for areas, for example the size of an apartment or a garden. Learners may confuse the words because both are formed with 'Meter'. A practical tip helps: you measure a distance in meters, and an area in square meters.
Unsere neue Wohnung hat 65 Quadratmeter.
Our new apartment is 65 square meters.
Der Tisch ist fast zwei Meter lang.
The table is almost two meters long.