German Phrase
Wir brauchen das Gewicht vom Paket.
Meaning
The sentence means “We need the weight of the package.” It is a straightforward request for a specific measurement, often used in logistics, shipping, or customs contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are handling parcels, preparing a shipment, or need to fill out a form that asks for the package’s weight. It works both in casual workplace chats and in more formal written requests.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WirbrauchendasGewichtvomPaket
Pronoun "Wir"
"Wir" is the first‑person plural pronoun meaning "we" and is the subject of the sentence.
Verb "brauchen"
"brauchen" means "to need" and takes a direct object in the accusative case.
Neuter noun "das Gewicht"
"Gewicht" (weight) is a neuter noun, therefore it uses the definite article "das" in the accusative.
Contraction "vom"
"vom" is the contraction of "von dem" (from/of the) and is used with the dative case.
Neuter noun "das Paket"
"Paket" is also neuter; after "von dem" it stays in the dative, so the article is "dem" which contracts to "vom".
🗨In Conversation
Könnt ihr mir das Gewicht vom Paket sagen?
Could you tell me the weight of the package?
Ja, es wiegt 2,5 Kilogramm.
Yes, it weighs 2.5 kilograms.
✕Common Mistakes
Wir brauchen das Gewicht von das Paket.
"von" requires the dative article "dem" for neuter nouns; the correct contraction is "vom".
Wir braucht das Gewicht vom Paket.
"braucht" is third‑person singular; the subject is "Wir" (first‑person plural), so the verb must be "brauchen".
Wir brauchen das Gewicht vom Paketes.
After "von dem" the noun stays in the dative, not the genitive; adding "-es" is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Wir benötigen das Gewicht des Pakets.
We need the weight of the package.
Wir brauchen das Paketgewicht.
We need the package’s weight.
Bitte teilen Sie uns das Gewicht des Pakets mit.
Please let us know the weight of the package.
Cultural Tip
In German business communication, precision matters. When asking for a package’s weight, it’s common to specify the unit (Kilogramm, Gramm) and to use the polite "Sie" form if you’re speaking to a client or a supplier you don’t know well. The contraction "vom" is everyday spoken German; in very formal writing you might keep the full form "von dem".