MetropolevsMetropolisWhat's the difference?

Which to use

“Metropole” and “Metropolis” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.

#12,968
“Metropole” frequency rank
#32,669
“Metropolis” frequency rank
45637
confusion score

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Metropole Metropolis
Definition sehr große und/oder bedeutende Stadt/Stelle, weil sie die betreffende Region dominiert, Zentrum eines Ballungsraums ist oder zum Beispiel auch viele Kulturen beherbergt die Weltstadt, die Hauptstadt mit weltstädtischem Charakter, die Provinzhauptstadt

Where the spellings diverge

Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set Metropole and Metropolis apart are highlighted. They share 8 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.

9 ch
Metropole
10 ch
Metropolis

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

A purely visual mix-up. Metropole ([metʁoˈpoːlə]) and Metropolis ([meˈtʁoːpolɪs]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they differ by 1 letter(s) in length. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 45637, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.

Metropole is recorded at frequency rank #12,968, classified as anoun, pronounced [metʁoˈpoːlə]. Metropolis is at rank #32,669, tagged as anoun, pronounced [meˈtʁoːpolɪs].

Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.

With a confusion score of 45637, this pair ranks #1,346,244 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - roughly mid-pack for confusability.

Orthographic DNA of Metropole vs Metropolis

Shared letters: elmoprt. Private to "Metropole": -. Private to "Metropolis": is.

"Metropole" · 9 letters · shape CVCCVCVCV  ·  "Metropolis" · 10 letters · shape CVCCVCVCVC

Known mistypes of this pair

  • Metropoleemtropole · mertopole · metorpole · metroople · metroploe · metropoel · metropolle · metroppole
  • Metropolisemtropolis · mertopolis · metorpolis · metrooplis · metroplois · metropoils · metropoliss · metropollis

Frequency comparison

Metropole#12,968
Metropolis#32,669

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can "Metropole" and "Metropolis" be used interchangeably?
No. They are said differently ([metʁoˈpoːlə] versus [meˈtʁoːpolɪs]) and carry different meanings; reading the sentence aloud is usually enough to catch the wrong one.
Which is more common, "Metropole" or "Metropolis"?
"Metropole" is the more common of the two: it sits at frequency rank #12,968 in our German list, against #32,669 for "Metropolis". The two are close in frequency, so neither is a safe default; check the meaning rather than guessing.

Remembering Metropole vs Metropolis

The fastest way to pick the right one every time.

  • Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
  • See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “Metropole” entry
  • Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list