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A2 noun 12分で読める

das Drittel

例文 das Drittel 30秒で
解説 das Drittel in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should recognize 'das Drittel' as a word for 'a third'. You might see it in simple contexts like food or basic numbers. Think of it as 'one of three parts'. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just remember it is a 'das' word and it's capitalized. Example: 'Ich möchte ein Drittel vom Kuchen.' (I want a third of the cake). It is helpful to learn it alongside 'die Hälfte' (the half) so you can start describing portions of things. You might also hear it in very basic sports results if you follow ice hockey, which is popular in German-speaking countries. At this stage, just focus on the 'one-third' meaning and the fact that it is a noun.
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At the A2 level, you are expected to use 'das Drittel' in more varied sentences. You should be able to combine it with 'von' to describe a portion of a group, like 'Ein Drittel von den Schülern' (A third of the students). You should also be aware that it is used in ice hockey to describe the three periods of a game. This is the level where you start to distinguish between 'drei' (3), 'dritte' (3rd), and 'Drittel' (1/3). You should also know that 'zwei Drittel' means 'two thirds' and that the noun 'Drittel' doesn't change its form in the plural nominative. You might use it in recipes or when talking about how you spend your time during the day.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'das Drittel' with the genitive case, which is more formal than using 'von'. For example, 'Ein Drittel der Bevölkerung' (A third of the population). You should also be able to use it as a countable noun with adjectives, such as 'Das erste Drittel des Buches war langweilig' (The first third of the book was boring). You will encounter this word in news reports, especially when they talk about statistics, politics, or the economy. You should also be able to form the verb 'dritteln' (to divide into three) and understand related words like 'drittens' (thirdly). Your understanding of the word should move from concrete objects (cake) to abstract concepts (time, statistics).
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At the B2 level, 'das Drittel' should be a natural part of your vocabulary for discussing complex topics. You should understand idiomatic uses and more technical applications, such as the 'Drittel-Regel' (Rule of Thirds) in photography or design. You will hear it in debates about social issues, where speakers use fractions to support their arguments. You should also be aware of how 'Drittel' functions in different cases, including the dative plural 'in drei Dritteln'. You are expected to use the word accurately in professional contexts, such as describing business quarters or project milestones. You should also be able to compare 'ein Drittel' with other proportions like 'eine Minderheit' (a minority) or 'ein beträchtlicher Teil' (a significant part).
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At the C1 level, your use of 'das Drittel' should be precise and nuanced. You understand how to use it in academic writing to describe data sets and proportions. You are familiar with compound nouns like 'Drittellösung' (a solution involving three parties or parts) or 'Drittelbeteiligung'. You can distinguish between the subtle stylistic differences of using 'ein Drittel' versus '33 Prozent' in various registers of speech and writing. You also recognize the word in literary contexts, where it might be used metaphorically to describe a portion of a journey or a person's life. You can handle complex sentence structures where 'Drittel' is part of a nested genitive or a long prepositional phrase without losing grammatical accuracy.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'das Drittel'. You can use it in highly specialized fields, from legal texts to advanced mathematics or philosophy. You understand the historical development of the word and its relationship to other Germanic languages. You can use the word in sophisticated wordplay or irony. You are also fully aware of regional variations in how fractions are used in German-speaking countries. You can effortlessly switch between 'ein Drittel', 'der dritte Teil', and 'eine Quote von einem Drittel' to achieve the exact rhetorical effect you desire. Your understanding of the word is integrated into a deep cultural knowledge of how Germans perceive division, fairness, and structure.
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例文

das Drittel 30秒で

  • Das Drittel means 'a third' (1/3) in German and is a neuter noun.
  • It is used for mathematical fractions, sports periods (hockey), and general portions.
  • Always capitalize it and use 'das' as the definite article.
  • When pluralized (e.g., two thirds), the word 'Drittel' stays the same: 'zwei Drittel'.
The German noun das Drittel represents the mathematical concept of a third, specifically one of three equal parts of a whole. In linguistic terms, it is a fractional noun derived from the ordinal number 'dritte' (third) combined with the suffix '-el', which is a shortened form of 'Teil' (part). Understanding das Drittel is essential for any learner moving beyond basic counting, as it appears frequently in daily life, from dividing a pizza to analyzing complex economic data.
Mathematical Function
In arithmetic, 'ein Drittel' is expressed as the fraction 1/3. When you add three of them together, you reach the 'Ganze' (the whole). It is used in calculations, measurements, and proportions.

Ein Drittel der Erdoberfläche ist von Land bedeckt, während der Rest aus Wasser besteht.

Beyond pure mathematics, das Drittel is a staple in German sports culture, particularly in Ice Hockey. Unlike football (soccer) which has 'Halbzeiten' (halves), a hockey match is divided into three 'Drittel'. This usage is so common that fans will often discuss the 'erste Drittel' or the 'Schlussdrittel' (final third) with the same intensity that others discuss half-time scores. In social contexts, you will hear this word when people talk about demographics or survey results. For instance, if a news anchor reports that 'ein Drittel der Deutschen' (a third of Germans) prefer a certain policy, they are using the word to simplify complex statistics into a digestible visual for the audience. The word is also vital in recipes; if a recipe calls for 'ein Drittel Liter Milch', precision is key to the culinary outcome.
Common Combinations
You will often see it paired with 'knapp' (scant/just under) or 'gut' (well over), such as 'ein knappes Drittel' to indicate approximately 30-32 percent.

Wir haben das erste Drittel des Projekts bereits erfolgreich abgeschlossen.

Philosophically, the word can be used to describe stages of life or time. One might speak of the 'letzte Drittel des Lebens' (the last third of life), which carries a more somber or reflective tone. In business meetings, progress is often measured in thirds to provide clear milestones for stakeholders.
Grammatical Nuance
When followed by a genitive plural or a 'von' construction, the verb can sometimes be singular or plural depending on the focus, though singular is technically more traditional for 'das Drittel'.

In diesem Drittel des Spiels fielen die meisten Tore.

Das obere Drittel der Seite bleibt für Notizen frei.

Finally, consider the visual aspect. A 'Drittel' is easy to visualize as a slice of a circular pie or a segment of a bar. This makes it one of the most intuitive fractions for learners to master after 'die Hälfte' (the half). Whether you are sharing a bill at a restaurant or dividing labor, 'das Drittel' is your go-to term for fairness and division into three.
Using das Drittel correctly requires an understanding of German noun cases and the way fractions interact with other nouns. Because it is a neuter noun, its articles change based on its role in the sentence: 'das Drittel' (nominative/accusative), 'des Drittels' (genitive), and 'dem Drittel' (dative). When you want to say 'a third of...', you typically use the genitive case or the preposition 'von' followed by the dative.
The Genitive Construction
This is the more formal way to express 'a third of'. For example: 'Ein Drittel der Teilnehmer' (A third of the participants). Note that 'Teilnehmer' is in the genitive plural.

Ein Drittel des Kuchens ist bereits weg.

In spoken German, the 'von' construction is extremely common and slightly less formal. You would say, 'Ein Drittel von den Äpfeln' (A third of the apples). This is often easier for beginners to construct because it avoids the complexities of genitive endings. If you are describing a specific portion of a period, such as in sports, 'Drittel' acts like a regular countable noun. You can say 'das erste Drittel', 'das zweite Drittel', or 'das letzte Drittel'. In these cases, it follows standard adjective declension rules. For instance, 'Im ersten Drittel war die Mannschaft sehr stark' (In the first third/period, the team was very strong).
Adjective Agreement
Since 'Drittel' is neuter, adjectives following 'ein' will take the '-es' ending in the nominative: 'ein großes Drittel'. After 'das', it takes '-e': 'das große Drittel'.

Zwei Drittel der Bevölkerung stimmten für den Vorschlag.

When 'Drittel' is used as an adverbial measurement of time or quantity, it can sometimes lose its article, especially in technical writing. However, for A2 learners, keeping the article 'ein' or 'das' is the safest path to grammatical accuracy. If you are talking about a 'third' as an abstract concept, you might use it without a specific referent: 'Ein Drittel reicht mir' (A third is enough for me).
Position in Sentence
It usually occupies the subject or object position. 'Ein Drittel (Subject) kostet (Verb) zehn Euro.' or 'Ich sehe ein Drittel (Object) der Stadt.'

Nach dem ersten Drittel der Strecke machten wir eine Pause.

Könnten Sie mir bitte ein Drittel von dem Brot abschneiden?

Das letzte Drittel des Buches war besonders spannend.

To sound more natural, practice using 'Drittel' in the context of time. 'Ein Drittel der Stunde ist um' (A third of the hour is over). This demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of how Germans conceptualize time segments beyond just quarters and halves.
If you step into a sports bar in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland during the winter, das Drittel will be one of the most frequent words you hear. Ice hockey is a major sport in these regions, and unlike football's 'Halbzeit', hockey is played in three periods. You'll hear commentators shout, 'Das erste Drittel ist vorbei!' (The first period is over!) or 'Ein spannendes Schlussdrittel!' (An exciting final period!). This is the most energetic and common real-world application of the word outside of a classroom.
In the Media
News broadcasts frequently use 'ein Drittel' to report on statistics. 'Ein Drittel der Wähler' (A third of the voters) is a common phrase during election cycles to describe the support for a political party or a specific candidate.

Die Eishockeyspieler gehen nach dem zweiten Drittel in die Kabine.

Another place you will encounter this word is in the workplace. During project reviews or quarterly meetings, managers often divide goals into thirds. 'Wir haben das erste Drittel unserer Jahresziele erreicht' (We have reached the first third of our annual goals). It serves as a psychological milestone that feels more manageable than looking at the whole year. In the culinary world, German recipes are quite precise. While Americans might use 'cups', Germans use weights and liters. A recipe might ask you to 'ein Drittel des Teiges' (a third of the dough) aside for the topping. If you are at a 'Bäckerei' (bakery), you might even ask for 'ein Drittel' of a large loaf of bread if they allow selling partial loaves.
Legal and Financial Contexts
In inheritance law or business contracts, 'das Drittel' can be a legal term for a specific share of assets. 'Ein Drittel des Erbes' (A third of the inheritance) is a standard division among three siblings.

In der Statistik sieht man, dass ein Drittel der Kosten für die Miete draufgeht.

You might also hear it in casual conversation about time management. 'Ich verbringe ein Drittel meines Tages mit Schlafen' (I spend a third of my day sleeping). It's a way for Germans to express the '8-8-8' rule (8 hours work, 8 hours sleep, 8 hours leisure).
Art and Design
Photographers often talk about the 'Drittel-Regel' (Rule of Thirds). This is a fundamental principle of composition that you will hear in any German-speaking art or photography course.

Wende die Drittel-Regel an, um das Foto interessanter zu machen.

Das Schiff ist zu einem Drittel mit Wasser gefüllt.

Whether in the stadium, the kitchen, or the courtroom, 'das Drittel' is a versatile and essential part of the German lexicon.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing the noun das Drittel with the ordinal number 'dritte' (third) or the cardinal number 'drei' (three). In English, 'third' can be both an adjective ('the third person') and a noun ('a third of the cake'). In German, these are strictly separated. You must use 'der/die/das dritte' for the adjective and 'das Drittel' for the noun.
Confusion with Ordinals
Mistake: 'Ich habe das dritte vom Kuchen gegessen.' Correct: 'Ich habe ein Drittel des Kuchens gegessen.' The first sentence sounds like you ate 'the third one' (perhaps out of many cakes), not a portion of one cake.

Falsch: Das drei der Klasse fehlt. Richtig: Ein Drittel der Klasse fehlt.

Another common mistake involves capitalization. In German, all nouns are capitalized. Since 'Drittel' is a noun, it must always start with a capital 'D'. Beginners often write it in lowercase because they perceive it as a number or a measurement, but grammatically, it is a full-fledged noun. Pluralization is also a tricky area. In English, we say 'one third' but 'two thirds' (adding an 's'). In German, the noun 'Drittel' does not change when used with numbers. It is 'ein Drittel', 'zwei Drittel', 'fünf Drittel', etc. Adding an '-s' or trying to pluralize it like 'Dritteln' (unless it's in the dative case) is a common error.
Plural Dative Trap
The only time you see 'Dritteln' is in the dative plural: 'In zwei Dritteln der Fälle...' This is an advanced mistake, but good to keep in mind.

Falsch: Er hat zwei Drittels gewonnen. Richtig: Er hat zwei Drittel gewonnen.

Gender confusion is the third pillar of errors. Many learners assume that because 'Teil' (part) is masculine ('der Teil'), 'Drittel' should also be masculine. However, 'Drittel' is neuter. Using 'der Drittel' or 'den Drittel' will immediately mark you as a non-native speaker.
Verb Agreement
When you say 'Ein Drittel der Äpfel ist faul', the verb 'ist' agrees with 'das Drittel' (singular), not 'die Äpfel' (plural). Many learners mistakenly use 'sind'.

Ein Drittel der Zeit ist bereits vergangen.

Das erste Drittel war das schwerste.

Lastly, avoid using 'Drittel' when you mean 'thirdly' (the transition word). For 'thirdly', use 'drittens'. Saying 'Drittel' at the start of a list will confuse your listeners. By keeping these distinctions in mind, you will use 'das Drittel' like a pro.
To enrich your German vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words related to das Drittel and understand when to use alternatives. While 'Drittel' is specific to the 1/3 fraction, other words can describe parts or proportions in a more general or different specific sense.
Drittel vs. Teil
'Ein Teil' is a general 'part'. If you don't know the exact fraction, use 'Teil'. 'Ein Drittel' is precise. 'Ein Teil der Gruppe' could be 10% or 90%, but 'ein Drittel' is exactly 33.3%.

Er hat nur einen kleinen Teil (part) gegessen, nicht das ganze Drittel.

Another alternative is to use percentages. Instead of 'ein Drittel', you can say 'dreiunddreißig Prozent'. This is very common in scientific or financial reports where exactness is preferred over the more 'natural' sounding fractional noun. Related fractional nouns include 'die Hälfte' (the half), 'das Viertel' (the quarter), and 'das Fünftel' (the fifth). Notice that 'Hälfte' is feminine, while the others ending in '-el' are neuter. This is a key pattern in German fractions.
Drittel vs. Tertiär
In academic or specialized contexts, you might encounter 'tertiär' (tertiary). This refers to the third level or stage, whereas 'Drittel' refers to the quantity of a third.

Das Viertel ist kleiner als das Drittel.

If you want to talk about something being divided into three, you can use the verb 'dritteln'. For example, 'Wir dritteln die Kosten' (We are splitting the costs into three). This is a very efficient way to express the action of dividing by three.
Section vs. Drittel
In literature or long documents, you might use 'Abschnitt' (section). While a book could be divided into three 'Abschnitte', calling them 'Drittel' emphasizes that they are of equal length.

Die Pizza wurde in drei gleiche Stücke (pieces) geschnitten.

Das Drittel ist eine präzise Mengenangabe.

Ein Bruchstück (fragment) ist meistens viel kleiner als ein Drittel.

By understanding these synonyms and related terms, you can choose the word that fits your context perfectly, whether you're being mathematically precise or just describing a piece of cake.
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レベル別の例文

1

Ich esse ein Drittel vom Apfel.

I am eating a third of the apple.

Uses 'ein' (neuter article) and 'vom' (von + dem).

2

Ein Drittel Wasser, bitte.

A third [of the glass] water, please.

Common elliptical usage in casual requests.

3

Das Drittel ist klein.

The third is small.

Basic subject-adjective structure.

4

Hier ist ein Drittel.

Here is a third.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

5

Ein Drittel für dich.

A third for you.

'Für' takes the accusative case.

6

Drei Drittel sind ein Ganzes.

Three thirds are a whole.

Plural usage of 'Drittel'.

7

Ich habe nur ein Drittel.

I only have a third.

Focuses on the quantity as an object.

8

Das Drittel Brot kostet wenig.

The third [of] bread costs little.

Noun-noun combination without 'von' (common in shops).

1

Ein Drittel der Schüler ist krank.

A third of the students is sick.

Genitive plural 'der Schüler' used with singular verb 'ist'.

2

Wir schauen das erste Drittel vom Spiel.

We are watching the first third (period) of the game.

Ordinal 'erste' describing the noun 'Drittel'.

3

Zwei Drittel der Pizza sind für mich.

Two thirds of the pizza are for me.

Plural 'zwei Drittel' leads to plural verb 'sind'.

4

Er hat ein Drittel seines Geldes ausgegeben.

He spent a third of his money.

Genitive singular 'seines Geldes'.

5

Die Pause kommt nach dem ersten Drittel.

The break comes after the first third.

Dative case after the preposition 'nach'.

6

Ein Drittel von den Äpfeln ist rot.

A third of the apples is red.

Common 'von' + dative construction.

7

Das letzte Drittel war am schwersten.

The last third was the hardest.

Superlative 'am schwersten' describing the period.

8

Kannst du das Drittel bitte schneiden?

Can you please cut the third?

Direct object in the accusative case.

1

Ein Drittel der Bevölkerung lebt in Städten.

A third of the population lives in cities.

Formal genitive construction 'der Bevölkerung'.

2

Das Unternehmen hat ein Drittel seines Umsatzes verloren.

The company lost a third of its turnover.

Usage in a business/economic context.

3

Im zweiten Drittel fiel die Entscheidung.

The decision was made in the second third (period).

Dative masculine/neuter adjective ending '-en'.

4

Ein Drittel der Zeit verbringen wir mit Warten.

We spend a third of the time waiting.

Accusative of time/duration.

5

Wir müssen die Kosten dritteln.

We have to split the costs into three.

The verb 'dritteln' derived from the noun.

6

Ein knappes Drittel der Stimmen reichte nicht aus.

A scant third of the votes was not enough.

Adjective 'knappes' modifying 'Drittel'.

7

Das obere Drittel der Seite ist reserviert.

The upper third of the page is reserved.

Spatial description using 'Drittel'.

8

Zwei Drittel der Arbeit sind bereits erledigt.

Two thirds of the work are already done.

Passive construction 'sind erledigt'.

1

Die Drittel-Regel ist essenziell für gute Fotografie.

The rule of thirds is essential for good photography.

Compound noun 'Drittel-Regel'.

2

Ein Drittel der Befragten lehnte den Vorschlag ab.

A third of those surveyed rejected the proposal.

Genitive plural of the substantivized adjective 'Befragten'.

3

Das Spiel ging nach dem Schlussdrittel in die Verlängerung.

The game went into overtime after the final third.

Compound noun 'Schlussdrittel'.

4

Er investierte ein Drittel seines Kapitals in Aktien.

He invested a third of his capital in stocks.

Financial terminology.

5

Die Stadt wurde zu einem Drittel zerstört.

The city was one-third destroyed.

Adverbial usage with 'zu'.

6

Ein Drittel der Energie stammt aus erneuerbaren Quellen.

A third of the energy comes from renewable sources.

Discussing environmental statistics.

7

Wir haben das erste Drittel der Verhandlungen hinter uns.

We have the first third of the negotiations behind us.

Idiomatic 'hinter sich haben'.

8

In zwei Dritteln aller Fälle tritt Besserung ein.

In two thirds of all cases, improvement occurs.

Dative plural 'Dritteln' with the 'n' ending.

1

Die Drittelbeteiligung der Arbeitnehmer ist gesetzlich geregelt.

The one-third participation of employees is regulated by law.

Specialized legal/economic compound noun.

2

Das Werk lässt sich in drei thematische Drittel gliedern.

The work can be divided into three thematic thirds.

Literary analysis terminology.

3

Ein Drittel der weltweiten Getreideernte ist gefährdet.

A third of the global grain harvest is at risk.

Complex genitive construction.

4

Die Studie belegt, dass knapp ein Drittel der Jugendlichen unter Stress leidet.

The study proves that nearly a third of young people suffer from stress.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

5

Das untere Drittel der Gesellschaft ist am stärksten von der Inflation betroffen.

The lower third of society is most affected by inflation.

Sociological context.

6

Die Kosten wurden auf ein Drittel reduziert.

The costs were reduced to a third.

Preposition 'auf' + accusative indicating a result.

7

Ein Drittel des Weges ist geschafft, doch das schwierigste Stück kommt noch.

A third of the way is done, but the hardest part is yet to come.

Metaphorical usage for progress.

8

In der Architektur spielt das goldene Drittel eine untergeordnete Rolle im Vergleich zum goldenen Schnitt.

In architecture, the 'golden third' plays a minor role compared to the golden ratio.

Technical comparison.

1

Die Drittelparität im Aufsichtsrat sorgt oft für hitzige Debatten.

One-third parity in the supervisory board often leads to heated debates.

Highly specific corporate law term.

2

Man könnte das Leben grob in drei Drittel unterteilen: Lernen, Arbeiten und Ruhen.

One could roughly divide life into three thirds: learning, working, and resting.

Philosophical categorization.

3

Ein Drittel der antiken Texte ist uns nur fragmentarisch überliefert.

A third of ancient texts have come down to us only in fragments.

Academic historical context.

4

Das Gutachten widmet dem ersten Drittel der Beweisaufnahme besondere Aufmerksamkeit.

The expert report devotes special attention to the first third of the evidence collection.

Legal register.

5

Die Drittel-Regelung bei der Erbschaftsteuer wird kontrovers diskutiert.

The 'one-third rule' in inheritance tax is controversially discussed.

Political/Economic policy term.

6

Ein Drittel der potenziellen Ersparnis geht durch Transaktionsgebühren verloren.

A third of the potential savings is lost through transaction fees.

Precise financial analysis.

7

In der Lyrik des 19. Jahrhunderts findet man oft eine Gliederung in drei Drittel.

In 19th-century poetry, one often finds a division into three thirds.

Literary history context.

8

Die Drittelung des Risikos erwies sich als kluge Strategie.

The tri-partition of the risk proved to be a wise strategy.

Nominalization of the verb 'dritteln'.

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