01
der Zoll
customs duty
A state fee or tax that is levied on goods when they are brought across a national border.
example
Für die Einfuhr des Autos musste er einen hohen Zoll bezahlen.
He had to pay a high customs duty for importing the car.
der Zoll
customs duty / customs / inch
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
The three meanings of 'Zoll' are clearly separated by context. If it is about money or fees, the tax is meant. If it is about an authority or border control, the institution is meant. If a number comes before it and the topic is size, the unit of measurement is meant.
EXAMPLE
Wie hoch ist der Zoll für diese Waren?
How high is the customs duty for these goods?
Use with prepositions
When the authority is meant, 'Zoll' is often treated like a place and used with prepositions such as 'am Zoll' (at customs / at the checkpoint) or 'beim Zoll' (at customs / with the customs authority).
EXAMPLE
Am Zoll mussten wir unsere Koffer öffnen.
At customs, we had to open our suitcases.
Use as a unit
As a unit of length, 'Zoll' is almost always used together with a number. It is mainly used for the diagonal size of screens (TVs, monitors) or for diameters (e.g., pipes).
EXAMPLE
Das Tablet hat ein 10-Zoll-Display.
The tablet has a 10-inch display.
Compare with
Zoll vs Zentimeter
centimeter
'der Zentimeter' and 'der Zoll' can both indicate lengths. A centimeter belongs to the metric system and is used very often in everyday life in Germany for small lengths. An inch is a different unit of length and equals 2.54 centimeters. You see 'Zoll' especially for screen sizes or certain technical measurements. Learners may confuse the words because both measure things, but the numbers are not the same. The important point is: 10 centimeters are not 10 inches.
Zoll
Für den neuen Schreibtisch sucht er einen Bildschirm mit 27 Zoll.
For his new desk, he is looking for a 27-inch monitor.
Zentimeter
Die Verkäuferin misst den Stoff auf 80 Zentimeter ab.
The saleswoman measures out 80 centimeters of fabric.
In real life
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