das  Promille

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʁoˈmɪlə/

‰ What exactly does "das Promille" mean?

Das Promille (symbol: ‰) is a unit of measurement indicating one thousandth part of a whole. It derives from the Latin phrase pro mille, meaning "per thousand".

The most common everyday use is to indicate Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), in German Blutalkoholkonzentration (BAK). If someone has 0.8 Promille alcohol in their blood, it means that for every 1000 parts of blood, there are 0.8 parts of pure alcohol.

Other applications include:

• Indicating gradients in railway or road construction.
• Concentration specifications in chemistry or pharmacy (rarely).
• Calculating insurance premiums or interest rates (rarely).

⚠️ It's important not to confuse Promille (‰, per mille, one-thousandth) with Prozent (%, percent, one-hundredth). 1 Promille = 0.1 Prozent.

🧐 Grammar of "das Promille"

The word Promille is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). It is mostly used in the singular, especially when referring to the unit of measurement itself. The plural (die Promille) is used less frequently, for example, when comparing different per mille values.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Der Fahrer hatte 1,2 Promille Alkohol im Blut.
   (The driver had 1.2 per mille alcohol in his blood.)
2. Die maximale Steigung der Bahnstrecke beträgt 15 Promille.
   (The maximum gradient of the railway line is 15 per mille.)
3. Bei einem Promillewert über der gesetzlichen Grenze droht der Führerscheinentzug.
   (A per mille value above the legal limit threatens driver's license suspension.)
4. Man rechnet eher in Prozent als in Promille, wenn es um Rabatte geht.
   (One usually calculates in percent rather than per mille when it comes to discounts.)

🗣️ How to use "Promille" correctly

"Das Promille" is mainly used in specific contexts:

• Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): The most frequent use. E.g.: "Er wurde mit 0,5 Promille angehalten." (He was stopped with 0.5 per mille.)
• Gradients/Slopes: In transportation, especially for railway tracks. E.g.: "Die Strecke hat ein Gefälle von 10 Promille." (The route has a gradient of 10 per mille.)
• Unit of Measurement: As a general indication for thousandths, although "Prozent" (% - hundredths) is much more common in everyday life.

Distinction from Percent: While Prozent (%) expresses the proportion per hundred, Promille (‰) expresses the proportion per thousand. 1 % = 10 ‰. This distinction is important to avoid misunderstandings.

Notation: The symbol ‰ is often written directly after the number without a space (e.g., 0.8‰), although according to DIN standards, a (non-breaking) space is recommended (0.8 ‰). In continuous text, "Promille" is often written out.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Promille"

Remembering the Article: Think of das Maß (the measure) or das Milliliter (the milliliter - even though it means thousandths). Neutral units of measurement often take the neuter article -> das Promille.

Remembering the Meaning: Pro Mille sounds like per thousand (Latin: mille = thousand). Imagine a thousand tiny drops of blood, and one (or less) is alcohol – a tiny amount, hence per thousand.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Terms

Similar but Different Terms:

• Prozent (%): Hundredth part. Used much more frequently than Promille.
• ppm (parts per million): Millionth part. Used for even smaller concentrations (e.g., pollutants).

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Stimmt es, dass Sie zwei Promille hatten?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nein, Herr Richter, nur ein Glas... aber das war randvoll!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Is it true that you had two per mille?"
The defendant replies: "No, Your Honor, just one glass... but it was filled to the brim!"

📜 Poem about "das Promille"

Ein Schluck zu viel, die Welt sich dreht,
das kleine Zeichen ‰ verrät,
wie viel im Blut vom Wein noch schwimmt,
ein Tausendstel, das Schicksal nimmt.
Das Maß ist voll, fahr nicht mehr fort,
das Promille spricht ein ernstes Wort.

Translation:
A sip too much, the world does spin,
the little symbol ‰ reveals within,
how much wine in the blood still streams,
a thousandth part, fulfilling fate's themes.
The measure's full, drive no more hence,
das Promille speaks with grave consequence.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich messe Teile, winzig klein,
tausend brauchst du, um eins zu sein.
Beim Alkohol werd' ich genannt,
im Blutkreislauf gut bekannt.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I measure parts, incredibly small,
a thousand you need to make one in total.
With alcohol, my name is known,
in the bloodstream, commonly shown.

What am I?

Solution: Das Promille (Per mille)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word "Promille" comes directly from Latin: pro means "for" or "per" and mille means "thousand". So, "per thousand".

Symbol ‰: The per mille sign ‰ resembles the percent sign %, but has an additional zero at the bottom right, symbolizing the base 1000 (instead of 100).

Legal Limits: The Promille limits for driving are a significant topic in many countries and vary widely. In Germany (Deutschland), the limit for absolute inability to drive is 1.1 Promille, but consequences can arise starting from 0.5 Promille (or 0.3 Promille if driving erratically).