cm
/ɡm/from spelling rules
cm is the Spanish abbreviation for the English term centimeter.
cm is used to represent the unit of length known as the centimeter in the metric system.
How does it change in a sentence?
The abbreviation cm is used for both singular and plural measurements. The symbol for this unit of measurement does not change when referring to more than one centimeter.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡm/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the decimal point used with cm is actually a comma, such as writing '1,5 cm' instead of '1.5 cm'.
- The word centímetro shares a root with the word centavo, as both use the Latin prefix 'centum' meaning 'hundred'. One centímetro is a hundredth of a meter, just as one centavo is a hundredth of a peso.
- According to the International System of Units used in Spanish, there should always be a non-breaking space between the number and the symbol cm. Writing 10cm without a space is technically incorrect in formal Spanish orthography.
Examples in context
- El apéndice es de unos 10 cm de largo.The appendix is about 10 cm long.This sentence is useful for describing the length of an appendix using cm.Tatoeba #1434339 by marcelostockle, translation #1021809 by Bilberry
- Este tablero tiene 2 metros de alto, 40 cm de ancho y 5 cm de espesor.This board is 2 metres tall, 40 cm wide, and 5 cm thick.This sentence is useful for describing the various dimensions of a board using cm.Tatoeba #1658288 by wallebot, translation #12931862 by araneo
- Logré desenterrar una sección íntegra de fulgurita de casi 14 cm de longitud en el suelo arcilloso de mi jardín después de que cayera un rayo en él durante la tormenta de ayer por la tarde.I managed to dig up a complete fulgurite section almost 14 cm in length from the clayey soil of my garden after it was struck by lighting during yesterday afternoon's thunderstorm.This sentence is useful for describing the length of a fulgurite section using cm.Tatoeba #10349050 by Seael, translation #10612067 by sangelo
- La longitud del cable es de 50 centímetrosThe length of the cable is 50 centimeters.
- Necesito 10 centímetros de cintaI need 10 centimeters of tape.
- El cable mide 30 centímetrosThe cable is 30 centimeters long.
- Necesito unos 5 centímetros de hiloI need about 5 centimeters of thread.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are measuring a piece of fabric for a project.
- LucíaNecesitamos cortar este trozo a 20 cm.We need to cut this piece to 20 cm.
- JavierEstá bien, ¿solo 20 cm?Alright, only 20 cm?
- LucíaSí, Javier, mide exactamente 20 cm.Yes, Javier, measure exactly 20 cm.
- JavierListo, ya tiene los 20 cm.Done, it already has the 20 cm.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
