01
zweieinhalb
two and a half
Refers to the number 2.5; an amount consisting of two whole units and one half unit.
example
Ich warte schon seit zweieinhalb Stunden auf dich.
I've already been waiting for you for two and a half hours.
zweieinhalb
two and a half
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word follows the pattern '[number] + ein + halb'. This pattern is also used for other numbers, for example 'dreieinhalb' (3.5) or 'viereinhalb' (4.5).
EXAMPLE
Die Besprechung dauerte nur eineinhalb Stunden.
The meeting lasted only one and a half hours.
No declension
When 'zweieinhalb' (two and a half) stands before a noun, it is not declined. It always keeps this one form, regardless of the noun's gender, case, or number.
EXAMPLE
Er hat zweieinhalb Liter Milch gekauft.
He bought two and a half liters of milk.
Typical collocations
'Zweieinhalb' (two and a half) is often used with units of measurement such as hours, years, kilos, or meters to indicate an exact amount of 2.5.
EXAMPLE
Das Baby ist jetzt zweieinhalb Monate alt.
The baby is now two and a half months old.
Compare with
zweieinhalb vs anderthalb
one and a half
'anderthalb' and 'zweieinhalb' are both numerals with a half unit. That is exactly why they can be confused. But the difference is clear: 'anderthalb' means 1.5, so one and a half. 'zweieinhalb' means 2.5, so two and a half. With time, money, weight, or amounts, this difference matters a lot. Remember: 'anderthalb' is less than two, while 'zweieinhalb' is more than two.
zweieinhalb
Für die Fahrt zur Küste brauchen wir zweieinhalb Stunden.
We need two and a half hours for the trip to the coast.
anderthalb
Am Bahnhof wartet sie anderthalb Stunden auf ihren Freund.
At the train station, she waits one and a half hours for her friend.
In real life
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