Maßstab

German

Alternative forms

Etymology

15th century, from Maß (“measure”) +‎ Stab (“staff”). Compare Dutch maatstaf.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmaːsˌʃtaːp/, [ˈmaːsˌʃtaːp], (simplified also) [ˈmaːˌʃtaːp]
  • Audio (Berlin):(file)
  • Audio (Austria):(file)
  • Hyphenation: Maß‧stab

Noun

Maßstab m (strong, genitive Maßstabs or Maßstabes, plural Maßstäbe)

  1. measuring rod, yardstick, rule
  2. scale (of a map, model)
    im Maßstab 1:10 ― in scale 1:10
  3. measure, standard, criterion, yardstick
    unterschiedliche Maßstäbe ― different standards
    mit menschlichen Maßstäben ― on a human scale
    mit gleichen Maßstäben messen ― to use the same yardsticks
    mit zweierlei Maßstäben messen ― to operate double standards

Usage notes

  • (measuring rod): Maßstab is the most general term, but not the most common. Stationary ones are usually called Messlatte, while foldable ones are called Zollstock (in southern Germany and Austria also Zollstab or Meterstab, and in Switzerland Doppelmeter or Klappmeter).

Declension

Declension of Maßstab [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Maßstab die Maßstäbe
genitive eines des Maßstabs, Maßstabes der Maßstäbe
dative einem dem Maßstab, Maßstabe1 den Maßstäben
accusative einen den Maßstab die Maßstäbe

1Now rare, see notes.

Derived terms

Descendants

Further reading

  • “Maßstab” in Duden online
  • “Maßstab” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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