un demi-kilo
In French, half a kilo is said as un demi-kilo.
The phrase is used to specify a measurement of weight equal to five hundred grams.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase un demi-kilo is composed of un (a), demi (half) and kilo (kilo).
Which one should you use?
cinq cents grammes can be used for precise scientific measurements.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, the term une livre is used to refer to half a kilo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase un demi-kilo is masculine and does not change its form when used as a unit of measurement in a sentence. When specifying what the weight refers to, you must follow the phrase with the preposition de and the noun, such as un demi-kilo de beurre (half a kilo of butter).
Did you know?
- In a French café, if you order un demi, you are not asking for a half kilo of anything, but rather a half-pint of draught beer.
- The adjective demi in un demi-kilo always remains masculine, even when the object being weighed is a feminine noun.
- In casual spoken French, the 'e' in 'demi' is often swallowed, making the phrase sound more like 'un d'mi-kilo'.
Examples in context
- Donne-moi un demi-kilo de pommes.Give me half a kilo of apples.This sentence is useful for asking someone to give you un demi-kilo of apples.Tatoeba #7876066 by Rockaround, translation #1808048 by pne
- Pourrais-je avoir un demi-kilo de cuisses de poulet, s'il vous plaît ?Could I have half a kilo of chicken thighs, please?This sentence is useful for politely asking for un demi-kilo of chicken thighs.Tatoeba #8862994 by lbdx, translation #5267278 by tabular
- un demi-kilogramme de tomatesHalf a kilo of tomatoes
- J'ai besoin d'acheter un demi-kilogramme de farine pour la recette.I need to buy half a kilo of flour for the recipe.
- Je voudrais un demi-kilo de fromage.I would like half a kilo of cheese.
Example conversation
At a local market.
- ManonBonjour, est-ce que vous avez un demi-kilo de tomates ?Hello, do you have half a kilo of tomatoes?
- LucasOui, j'en ai beaucoup aujourd'hui.Yes, I have plenty today.
- ManonParfait, je vais en prendre un demi-kilo.Perfect, I will take half a kilo.
- LucasTrès bien, Manon, voici vos tomates.Very well, Manon, here are your tomatoes.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
