milímetros
/milimetɾos/from spelling rules
milímetros is the Spanish word for millimeters.
This term refers to the metric unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter.
What does it mean word for word?
The word uses the prefix mili-, which is identical to the English prefix 'milli-' and denotes one thousandth.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is milímetro, which changes to milímetros in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/milimetɾos/
Did you know?
- While milímetros is the technical term, Spanish speakers often use the phrase un pelín to describe a distance of just a few millimeters. It literally translates to 'a little hair'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word milimétrico is used as an adjective to describe something performed with extreme precision, regardless of whether millimeters are actually involved.
- Spanish uses the same root for milímetro as it does for millón, as both derive from the Latin word 'mille' meaning thousand.
Examples in context
- El ancho de la hoja es de 50 milímetros.The width of the sheet is 50 millimeters.
- Necesito una llave de 10 mili para ajustar el tornillo.I need a 10-millimeter wrench to tighten the screw.
- El grosor es de apenas dos milímetros.The thickness is barely two millimeters.
- Necesito medir la pieza en milímetros.I need to measure the part in millimeters.
- La diferencia es de solo unos milímetros.The difference is only a few millimeters.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a small piece of jewelry.
- Mateo¿Cuántos milímetros mide el anillo?How many millimeters is the ring?
- SofíaMide exactamente doce milímetros.It measures exactly twelve millimeters.
- MateoEs muy pequeño para mi dedo.It is too small for my finger.
- SofíaTal vez buscas algo más grande.Maybe you are looking for something larger.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
