a half kilo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a half kilo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a weight measurement, specifically half a kilogram. Example: "I need to buy a half kilo of apples for the recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I'll take a half kilo," Youssef says, suitable impressed with the cupcakes.

The New York Times

He once ate a four and a half kilo, 55 cm pizza, on another show he consumed a five and a half kilo burger, and at one place he had to eat 180 oysters.

Independent

"Every Id, I usually buy fruits, sweets, chocolates, and I make Palestinian biscuits," said Abu Amare, 45. "But this Id, I just bought a half kilo of coffee.

The New York Times

"A single portion is a half kilo and with the shortage and price hike we weren't willing to ask our customers to pay the 72% increase.

BBC

"I've spent three years in hiding because the cops caught me with one and a half kilo of speed.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Twelve and a half kilos".

The New York Times - Sports

"The first three months I worked here we collected six and a half kilos of base".

The New York Times

They brought cooked rice a total of one and a half kilos.

The New Yorker

Amid laughter from fellow ministers at a cabinet meeting, he said that "we need a publicity campaign on radio, TV, in newspapers, in cartoons, everywhere, so that the people understand that rabbits aren't pets but two and a half kilos of meat".

BBC

It's about as likely as Kim Jong-un snorting two and a half kilos of pharmaceutical-grade "innovation" all by himself and slapping together the KN-08 using some Soviet-era scrap, a Chinese logging truck, and some chicken wire.

Vice

"She weighs five and a half kilos now.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for an international audience, consider providing both metric (kilos/grams) and imperial (pounds/ounces) measurements for clarity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "kilo" (kilogram) with other similar-sounding units like "kilometer". Always ensure the context clearly indicates a weight measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a half kilo" functions as a noun phrase specifying a quantity or weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and functions as a measurement of weight.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a half kilo" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to express a weight measurement equivalent to 500 grams or half a kilogram. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is accurate. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, this phrase serves to specify quantities in a clear and concise manner. When writing, consider your audience; while "a half kilo" is generally accepted, providing both metric and imperial units can enhance clarity for a broader readership. Remember to avoid confusion with similar sounding terms and verify that the context clearly indicates a weight measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

500 grams

Expresses the same quantity in grams, a metric unit interchangeable with half a kilo.

Half a kilogram

Uses the full term "kilogram" instead of the abbreviated "kilo".

Point five kilograms

Represents the quantity as a decimal value.

Zero point five kg

Abbreviates "kilograms" to "kg" and represents the quantity as a decimal value.

Around half a kilo

Uses "around" to denote an approximate quantity.

About half a kilogram

Uses "about" to denote an approximate quantity.

Approximately 500 grams

Adds a qualifier to indicate an estimate of the weight.

Half of a thousand grams

Breaks down the quantity to emphasize its composition in grams.

A pound and a tenth

Expresses the quantity in imperial units, offering an approximate equivalent.

Slightly less than a pound and a quarter

Provides an approximate equivalent in pounds, emphasizing a small difference from a quarter.

FAQs

How can I use "a half kilo" in a sentence?

You can use "a half kilo" to specify a quantity of something by weight. For example, "I bought "a half kilo of" coffee beans at the market."

What can I say instead of "a half kilo"?

Alternatives include "500 grams", "half a kilogram", or ".5 kilograms", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it more common to say "a half kilo" or "half a kilo"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "half a kilo" is generally more common in everyday speech and writing.

Is "a half kilo" the same as "a half kg"?

Yes, "a half kg" is simply an abbreviation, where "kg" stands for kilogram. They both represent the same weight measurement.