das  Gramm

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡʁam/

⚖️ What exactly is a 'Gramm'?

Das Gramm (abbreviation: g) is a fundamental unit of mass in the metric system. It corresponds to one-thousandth of a Kilogramm (kg), the SI base unit of mass.

In everyday life, das Gramm is often used in cooking, baking, or when weighing small quantities.

• Article: das (neuter)
• Basic meaning: Unit of mass (1/1000 kilogram)

🚨 There is only the neuter article das for this unit of measurement.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Gramm

The noun „Gramm“ is neuter and is declined as follows:

⚠️ Plural peculiarity: After numerical figures, the form „Gramm“ (without a plural ending) is usually used: fünf Gramm (five grams), 200 Gramm (200 grams). The plural form „Gramme“ is less common and used more colloquially or in specific contexts (e.g., „die letzten Gramme aufbrauchen“ - to use up the last grams).

Example Sentences

1. Für dieses Rezept benötigst du genau 150 Gramm Mehl.
   (For this recipe, you need exactly 150 grams of flour.)
2. Ein Brief darf maximal 20 Gramm wiegen, um als Standardbrief zu gelten.
   (A letter may weigh a maximum of 20 grams to qualify as a standard letter.)
3. Der Preis wird pro Gramm Gold berechnet.
   (The price is calculated per gram of gold.)
4. Er hat jedes Gramm Fett an seinem Körper gehasst.
   (He hated every gram of fat on his body.)
5. Die Waage zeigt das Gewicht auf das Gramm genau an.
   (The scale shows the weight accurately to the gram.)

💡 How to Use "das Gramm"

Das Gramm is a ubiquitous unit of measurement. Here are typical contexts:

• 🍳 Cooking & Baking: Quantities in recipes (e.g., 250 Gramm Zucker - 250 grams of sugar, 5 Gramm Salz - 5 grams of salt).
• 🔬 Science & Laboratory: Precise measurements of substances.
• ⚖️ Trade & Everyday Life: Weighing light goods like spices, tea, jewelry, or letters.
• 💊 Pharmacy: Dosage of active ingredients.
• 💪 Nutrition & Diet: Information on nutritional values (e.g., 10 Gramm Protein pro Portion - 10 grams of protein per serving) or weight changes.

The abbreviation g is internationally common and used very frequently, especially in written form (e.g., 100g Butter - 100g of butter).

Compared to Kilogramm (kg) or Tonne (t), das Gramm denotes a much smaller mass.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gramm"

For the article „das“: Think of measurement units often being neuter in German (like das Pfund - pound, das Kilo - kilo). Das often applies to technical or abstract concepts. Imagine a neutral, objective measurement: das Gramm.

For the meaning „unit of mass“: Think of 'grandma's recipe' needing precise 'grams'. Or: Get Ready And Measure Mass!

🔄 Similar & Opposite: Gramm

Risk of Confusion?

• der Gram: (masculine) sorrow, grief – completely different meaning and article!

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Sie haben also nur 10 Gramm gestohlen?" Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ja, Herr Richter, aber es war pures Gold!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "So you only stole 10 grams?" The defendant answers: "Yes, Your Honor, but it was pure gold!"

📜 A Poem about 'das Gramm'

Das Gramm, so klein, fast unsichtbar,
Doch auf der Waage zählt es klar.
Ein Tausendstel vom Kilogramm,
Misst Zucker, Salz, Marzipan.
Ob Goldstaub fein, ob Brief ganz leicht,
Das Gramm die Präzision erreicht.

Translation:
The gram, so small, almost unseen,
But on the scale, its value's keen.
A thousandth of the kilogram,
Measures sugar, salt, marzipan.
Be it fine gold dust, or letter light,
The gram achieves precision right.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Tausendstel vom Kilo schwer,
Beim Kochen braucht man mich oft sehr.
Mit 'g' kürzt man mich gerne ab,
Was bin ich wohl? Rate knapp!

Translation:
I'm a thousandth of a kilo's weight,
For cooking, I am often great.
With 'g', I'm abbreviated fast,
What am I? Guess, don't be last!

Solution: Das Gramm (the gram)

✨ More Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word „Gramm“ comes from the Late Latin / Greek word gramma, which originally meant 'small weight' or 'letter'.
• Definition: Originally, the gram was defined as the mass of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density (at 4 °C). Today, it is defined via the Kilogramm, whose mass is determined by the International Prototype Kilogram or, since 2019, by the Planck constant.