Sekunde
/zeˈkʊndə/feminine
The English phrase 'second' (referring to a unit of time) is Sekunde in German.
Sekunde is a feminine noun used to denote a single unit of time, specifically one-sixtieth of a minute. To express the concept of the 'second time', you would use the phrase zum zweiten Mal.
Meaning: one-sixtieth of a minute, SI unit of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Sekunde refers to the unit of time, other forms exist for different meanings of 'second'. For example, zweite is the numeral used for 'second' and beipflichten or sekundieren are verbs meaning 'to agree as a second person'. To refer specifically to a second-placed person, the formal term Zweitplatzierte/r is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, Sekunde changes to einer Sekunde when used in the genitive case. The plural form of the noun is Sekunden.
How do you pronounce it?
/zeˈkʊndə/
Did you know?
- In German, you can use the verb sekundieren to mean you are supporting someone's argument, much like a 'second' in a duel.
- The concept of a 'second' as a division of a minute comes from the Latin 'pars minuta secunda', meaning the 'second minute part'.
- The German language uses the term Sekunde in both timekeeping and geometry to describe an arcsecond, which is one-sixtieth of a minute of arc.
Examples in context
- Gib mir eine Sekunde.Hold on a second.This sentence is useful for asking someone to wait or hold on for a moment using Sekunde.Tatoeba #8218689 by driini, translation #1120399 by CK
- Er zögerte eine Sekunde.He hesitated for a second.This sentence illustrates the use of Sekunde to describe a duration of hesitation.Tatoeba #4215957 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4211717 by Hybrid
- Wartest du eine Sekunde?Will you wait a second?This sentence shows how to ask someone to wait for a brief moment using Sekunde.Tatoeba #8862695 by wolfgangth, translation #3333918 by CK
- der zweite PlatzSecond place
- der zweite SpielerThe second player
- Sie spielt die Zweite in dem neuen StückShe plays the second female lead in the new play
- Ich habe zum zweiten Mal am Marathon teilgenommenI participated in the marathon for the second time
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are timing a short race.
- MaximilianWie viele Sekunden war die Zeit?How many seconds was the time?
- SarahEs war nur eine Sekunde.It was only one second.
- MaximilianDas ist wirklich schnell.That is really fast.
- SarahJa, ich bin sehr zufrieden.Yes, I am very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “second” translations and entries Sekunde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sekunde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
