Learn German: Das Rezept braucht zehn Milligramm Lavendel. - The recipe needs ten milligrams of lavender.

Das Rezept braucht zehn Milligramm Lavendel.

The recipe needs ten milligrams of lavender.

Breakdown of Das Rezept braucht zehn Milligramm Lavendel.

Questions & Answers about Das Rezept braucht zehn Milligramm Lavendel.

Why isn't it Milligramme since there are ten of them?

Because Milligramm is a neuter unit of measurement (das Milligramm). In German, masculine and neuter units of measurement don't get a plural ending when they follow a number. They use a zero-plural, so the word stays exactly the same: zehn Milligramm.

Where is the word for "of" in "milligrams of lavender"?

In German, you don't use a preposition here! When you have a measurement or quantity followed by the substance being measured, you just put them right next to each other. So "ten milligrams of lavender" translates directly to zehn Milligramm Lavendel.

Is it normal to use brauchen for what a recipe "needs"?

Yes, it is very common and natural in everyday German. If you are reading a formal cookbook, you might see the slightly more elevated verb benötigen (to require), but brauchen is perfectly fine and widely used.

What case is Lavendel in this sentence?

It is in the accusative case, just like the measurement Milligramm, because they make up the direct object of the verb brauchen. However, because Lavendel is an uncountable material noun used here without an article, you don't see any visible case endings.