das / der  Drittel

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdʁɪtl̩/

🔢 What does "Drittel" mean?

The word "Drittel" primarily has one meaning, which is usually neuter (das Drittel). However, there is also a rarer, masculine form (der Drittel).

• das Drittel (neuter): This is the most common form and means "one third" (1/3), i.e., one of three equal parts of a whole. It's used as a noun derived from the fractional adjective "drittel" (an older form for 'third').
• der Drittel (masculine): ⚠️ This form is very rare and mostly historical. It used to refer to a coin, the "Drittelpfennig," or a similar unit. In modern German, it's hardly ever used and often considered outdated or incorrect when referring to the fraction.

🚨 Important: When talking about a fraction (one third), always use das Drittel!

📐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of Drittel

das Drittel (neuter - the fraction)

The most common form.

der Drittel (masculine - the coin, rare)

⚠️ This form is very rare and mostly historical.

📝 Example Sentences

1. das Drittel: Gib mir bitte das obere Drittel des Kuchens.
   (Please give me the upper third of the cake.)
2. das Drittel: Im ersten Drittel des Spiels fielen keine Tore.
   (No goals were scored in the first period/third of the game.)
3. das Drittel: Er erbte nur ein Drittel des Vermögens.
   (He only inherited one third of the fortune.)
4. der Drittel: (Historical/Rare) Der alte Mann zahlte noch mit einem Drittel.
   (The old man still paid with a 'Drittel'. - Referring to an old coin unit, very uncommon today).

💡 How to Use "Drittel" Correctly

das Drittel (the fraction):

• Mathematics & Quantities: The most frequent use, denoting one part out of three. "Zwei Drittel der Studenten haben die Prüfung bestanden." (Two thirds of the students passed the exam.)
• Recipes & Cooking: For measurements. "Füge ein Drittel Liter Milch hinzu." (Add one third of a liter of milk.)
• Time Division: Especially in sports (ice hockey: das erste/zweite/letzte Drittel - the first/second/final period) or for projects. "Wir befinden uns im letzten Drittel des Projekts." (We are in the final third of the project.)
• Spatial Division: Describing areas. "Das obere Drittel des Bildes ist sehr hell." (The upper third of the picture is very bright.)

der Drittel (the coin/unit):

• ⚠️ Extremely rare: Mainly found in historical texts or contexts referring to old currencies (e.g., Drittelthaler, Drittelpfennig). Irrelevant in everyday life. Confusion with the neuter form is likely, so almost always use das Drittel when meaning a fraction.

Distinction from similar words:

• Dritte/r/s (adjective/ordinal number): Refers to the position in a sequence (the third). Example: "Er war der Dritte im Rennen." (He was the third in the race.) vs. "Er bekam ein Drittel des Preises." (He received one third of the prize.)
• Dritteln (verb): Means to divide something into three parts. Example: "Wir müssen den Kuchen dritteln." (We have to divide the cake into thirds.)

🧠 Memory Aids for "Drittel"

Article Mnemonic (das vs. der): Think of das Stück (the piece) of cake – das Drittel is the normal part/fraction. Think of der Taler (the old coin), which is rare, just like der Drittel.

Meaning Mnemonic (1/3): A thing has DREI (three) parts. Das Drittel is one of them. The number THREE (Drei) is inside the word!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Drittel

Synonyms (for das Drittel):

• Ein Drittel: (One third) - More explicit form.
• Dritter Teil: (Third part) - Descriptive phrase.
• 33.3... Prozent: (33.3... percent) - Mathematical equivalent (approximate).

Antonyms (for das Drittel):

• Das Ganze: (The whole) - The entire amount or object.
• Die Mehrheit / Zwei Drittel: (The majority / Two thirds) - When discussing proportions.
• Null / Nichts: (Zero / Nothing) - No share.

Similar but different words:

• Dritter/Dritte/Drittes: The ordinal number (third), not the fraction.
• Drittklassig: Means third-rate or low quality, unrelated to the fraction.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Wenn ich einen Apfel in drei Drittel teile, wie nennt man dann die Teile?"
Fritzchen: "Beweisstücke!"

English Translation: The teacher asks: "If I divide an apple into three thirds, what do you call the parts?"
Little Fritz: "Pieces of evidence!"

📜 A Poem about Thirds

German:
Ein Kuchen rund, so lecker fein,
wird geteilt in Teile drein.
Nimmst du eins, so ist's klar,
das Drittel ist nun für dich da.
Nicht das Ganze, nur ein Stück,
ein Drittel vom großen Glück.

English Translation:
A cake so round, a tasty treat,
Is divided into three parts neat.
If you take one, it's clear to see,
The third is now there just for thee.
Not the whole, just a piece,
One third of the great release (of happiness).

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Teil, doch nie allein,
zwei andre brauch ich, um ganz zu sein.
Teilst du durch drei, dann findest du mich schnell.
Was bin ich wohl? Sag es mir auf der Stell'!

English Translation:
I am a part, but never alone,
Two others I need to be fully grown (whole).
If you divide by three, you'll find me fast.
What am I? Tell me, make it last!

Solution: das Drittel (a third)

ℹ️ More about "Drittel"

• Word Origin: The word "Drittel" derives from the ordinal number "drei" (three). An older form was "dritteteil" (third part), which was shortened to "Drittel". The suffix "-tel" (as in Viertel 'quarter', Achtel 'eighth') is a shortening of "Teil" (part).
• Rule of Thirds (Photography): A compositional guideline where an image is divided into nine equal parts by two horizontal and two vertical lines. Important elements are placed along these lines or at their intersections (the "thirds points").
• Sports (Ice Hockey): An ice hockey game is typically divided into three periods, called "Drittel" in German, each lasting 20 minutes.