01
der Zentimeter
centimeter
A unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. The official symbol is 'cm'.
example
Dieses Lineal ist 30 Zentimeter lang.
This ruler is 30 centimeters long.
der Zentimeter
centimeter
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'Zenti-' (centi-) and 'Meter' (meter). The prefix 'Zenti-' comes from Latin and means 'hundredth'. So a centimeter is literally one hundredth of a meter.
EXAMPLE
Ein Meter hat hundert Zentimeter.
One meter has one hundred centimeters.
Use with numbers
After numbers above 1, 'Zentimeter' (centimeter) often remains unchanged, especially when it is used as part of an adjective. In spoken language, however, the plural is also often used.
EXAMPLE
Ich brauche ein 50-Zentimeter-Lineal.
I need a 50-centimeter ruler.
Typical collocations
'Zentimeter' (centimeter) is often used with adjectives like 'lang' (long), 'breit' (wide), 'hoch' (high/tall), or 'groß' (big/tall). Combinations with verbs like 'wachsen um' (to grow by) or 'schrumpfen um' (to shrink by) are also typical.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind ist im letzten Jahr um fünf Zentimeter gewachsen.
The child grew by five centimeters last year.
Compare with
Zentimeter vs Meter
meter
'der Meter' and 'der Zentimeter' are both units for measuring length. One meter consists of 100 centimeters. 'Meter' fits when you describe larger everyday lengths, for example the length of a room or the height of a person. 'Zentimeter' fits when you measure more precisely or measure smaller lengths, for example with clothing, paper, or small distances. Learners may confuse them because both are based on the same measuring system. A practical rule is: meters for larger lengths, centimeters for smaller and more precise measurements.
Zentimeter
Beim Nähen fehlen noch drei Zentimeter Stoff.
When sewing, three more centimeters of fabric are still missing.
Meter
Der neue Schrank ist fast zwei Meter hoch.
The new wardrobe is almost two meters tall.
In real life
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