der
Millimeter
📏 What Exactly is a Millimeter?
Der Millimeter (abbreviation: mm) is a unit of length in the metric system. It corresponds to one-thousandth of a meter (1/1000 m) or one-tenth of a centimeter (1/10 cm).
It's a very small unit, often used for precise measurements, for example, in engineering, crafts, or science.
- 10 Millimeter = 1 Zentimeter (cm)
- 1000 Millimeter = 1 Meter (m)
Since it's a clearly defined unit of measurement, it only takes the masculine article der.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar at a Glance: Der Millimeter
The word "Millimeter" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Millimeter |
| Genitive | des | Millimeters |
| Dative | dem | Millimeter |
| Accusative | den | Millimeter |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Millimeter |
| Genitive | der | Millimeter |
| Dative | den | Millimetern |
| Accusative | die | Millimeter |
Example Sentences
- Der Spalt ist nur einen Millimeter breit.
(The gap is only one millimeter wide.) - Bitte messen Sie die Länge auf den Millimeter genau.
(Please measure the length precisely to the millimeter.) - Auf diesem Lineal sind die Millimeter deutlich markiert.
(The millimeters are clearly marked on this ruler.) - Der Bohrer hat einen Durchmesser von fünf Millimetern.
(The drill bit has a diameter of five millimeters.)
🛠️ When to Use Millimeter?
Der Millimeter is primarily used in contexts requiring high precision:
- Technical drawings and construction: Dimensions of components are often specified in Millimeter.
- Crafts: For fine work, e.g., in model making or carpentry.
- Science and research: Measuring small objects or distances, e.g., in biology or physics.
- Medicine: Indicating sizes, e.g., of tumors or pupil dilation.
- Precipitation measurement: Rainfall amounts are often measured in Millimeter (corresponding to liters per square meter).
The abbreviation mm is very common, especially in technical documents and on measuring instruments.
In everyday life, Zentimeter or Meter are more commonly used for rougher length estimates.
🧠 Mnemonics to Help You Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Meter (the meter). The Millimeter is its 'little brother', so it's also der Millimeter.
Meaning Mnemonic: Milli- means 'thousandth'. A Milli-meter is thus a thousandth of a meter – tiny!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Indirect)
There are no direct synonyms for "Millimeter" as it's a specific unit of measurement. Paraphrases are possible:
- Tausendstel Meter (thousandth of a meter)
- Zehntel Zentimeter (tenth of a centimeter)
Antonyms (Other Units of Length)
- Zentimeter (cm) - larger
- Dezimeter (dm) - larger
- Meter (m) - much larger
- Kilometer (km) - very much larger
- Mikrometer (µm) - smaller
- Nanometer (nm) - much smaller
⚠️ Don't confuse it with Milliliter (ml), which is a unit of volume!
😄 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Lineale nie an Rennen teil?
Weil sie immer nur auf den Millimeter genau sind, aber nie wirklich schnell!
Translation: Why do rulers never take part in races?
Because they are always precise to the millimeter, but never really fast!
📜 A Poem About Precision
Der Millimeter klein und fein,
misst ganz genau, so soll es sein.
Ein Tausendstel vom Meter nur,
doch wichtig in Technik und Natur.
Auf Zeichnungen, im Plan,
zeigt er die Größe exakt an.
Translation:
The millimeter, small and fine,
measures exactly, by design.
A thousandth of a meter, true,
but vital in tech and nature too.
On drawings, in the plan's domain,
it shows the size precisely plain.
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Zehntel vom Zentimeter,
und tausend von mir machen einen Meter.
Ingenieure lieben meine Präzision,
wer bin ich? Kennst du die Lösung schon?
Translation:
I am one-tenth of a centimeter,
and a thousand of me make one meter.
Engineers love my precision,
who am I? Do you know the solution?
Solution: Der Millimeter (The Millimeter)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Millimeter" is composed of:
- Milli-: From Latin "mille" meaning "thousand", used here to mean "thousandth".
- -meter: From Greek "métron" meaning "measure".
So, literally: "thousandth-measure".
International Unit: The Millimeter is part of the International System of Units (SI) and is used worldwide.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Millimeter?
The word "Millimeter" is a unit of length and exclusively uses the masculine article: der Millimeter. It denotes one-thousandth of a meter (1 mm = 0.001 m).