German 1310
Lesson 3-6
The Metric System
Like all of Europe, Germany is using the metric system when talking about distance, length, weight,
temperature, etc. The units of the metric system do not come naturally to an American, and disorientation can
ensue. Here are some guidelines.
Commas and Periods
True confusion can happen due to the fact that with numbers Germans use commas and periods exactly the
other way around than Americans. Americans are using commas in numbers to group units of thousands, and
the period to indicate decimals. Germans are using periods to group units of thousands, and the comma to
indicate decimals.
English
4,342.12
German
4.342,12 (= viertausendreihundertzweiundvierzig komma zwölf)
To know about this difference might come in handy when wiring large amounts of money from one country to
the other. Mixing up commas and periods might clear out your checking account really quickly.
Length and Distance
The basic unit of length is the meter. It is about 1.1 yards. Therefore, giving approximate distances is easy.
Just say “meter” instead of “yards.”
The bar is 100 yards from here.
Die Bar ist 100 Meter von hier.
Smaller distances are measured in centimeter. A centimeter is about 0.4 inches. There is no equivalent to the
foot in German. Somebody’s height in German is given in meters and centimeters.
He is 5 feet 8.
Er ist ein Meter zweiundsiebzig.
Er ist 1,72 Meter.
Long, geographic distances are measured in kilometer. A kilometer is about 0.6 miles.
The following abbreviations are used.
m
km
cm
=
=
=
meter
kilometer
centimeter
Speed
Common speeds are measured in kilometers per hour (written: km/h, or: kmh). Common speeds are:
Brisk walk:
Speed limit in town:
Speed limit on highway:
Cruising speed on interstate:
5 km/h
50 km/h
100 km/h
130-150 km/h
(= 3 miles per hour)
(= 30 miles per hour)
(= 62 miles per hour)
(= 80 to 95 miles per hour)
Fast train (ICE):
Speed limit on parts of the Autobahn
(the German interstate system):
up to 300 km/h
(= 185 miles per hour)
300.000 km/s
(= the speed of light)
Weight
Common German weights are given in kilogram. When giving approximate weights, the formula that two
pounds equals one kilogram is helpful. Germans use pounds as well (called Pfund). However, one American
pound is only about 0.9 German pounds. For small weights, that does not make much of a difference. But if
you give your weight in pounds, you should do the conversion. If you weigh 150 American pounds and you say
“Ich wiege 150 Pfund,” a German will assume that you are weighing the equivalent of 165 American pounds.
Jokes about the unhealthy American diet might ensue.
Small weights are given in gram. There is no equivalent to ounces in German. One ounce is about 28 grams.
When talking about small weights (e.g., food Americans buy by the ounce), Germans use multiples of 50 grams.
The following abbreviations are used:
g
kg
Pf.
=
=
=
gram
kilogram
pound
Volume
There are no pints, quarts, and gallons in Germany. Pretty much every common volume is measured in liter.
One liter is roughly one quart or 0.25 gallons. Germans buy milk, beer, wine, juice, and soda in multiples or
fractions of liter. The most common beer bottle contains 0.5 liter; the second most common bottle, roughly
equal in size to an American bottle, is 0.33 liters. Milk is bought in one-liter containers. Mineral water (very
popular in Germany) is bought in 0.75-liter bottles, and juices in 1.5-liter bottles.
The abbreviation for liter is l.
Temperature
Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (abbreviated: °C). One degree Celsius is about 1.8 °F. Here are
some reference points:
-15 °C
0 °C
20 °C
35 °C
37 °C
40 °C
100 °C
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
5 °F
32 °F
68 °F
95 °F
98.6 °F
104 °F
212 °F
(a cold winter day in Germany)
(freezing point of water)
(a warm spring day in Germany)
(a hot summer day in Germany)
(normal temperature of human body)
(very high fever)
(boiling point of water)