mittel
/ˈmɪtəl/
In German, 'medium' is translated as mittel.
The adjective mittel is used to describe something of an intermediate scale or size. It can also mean 'middle' when referring to a position or rank. To specifically describe the size of people or objects, it is very common to use the compound adjective mittelgroß instead.
Meaning: of intermediate size (adj)
Which one should you use?
While mittel can mean both 'medium' (scale/size) and 'middle' (position/rank), the related noun Medium refers to a format for communicating information or a material through which signals and waves pass.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, mittel changes its ending based on the noun it precedes. It takes the ending -ere when used before feminine or plural nouns. It takes the ending -eren when used before a masculine noun in the accusative or dative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɪtəl/
Did you know?
- The word mittelmäßig is derived from mittel, but it is almost always used pejoratively to mean 'mediocre' rather than just 'medium'.
- The German economy relies heavily on the Mittelstand, a specific class of medium-sized companies that are often family-owned and globally competitive.
- In German, the noun Mittel can mean 'means' or 'method', such as in the phrase Mittel zum Zweck, meaning a 'means to an end'.
Examples in context
- Die Sonne ist ein mittelgroßer Stern.The sun is a medium-sized star.This sentence shows how to use mittel in the compound 'mittelgroßer' to describe the size of a star.Tatoeba #6929292 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3958383 by Hybrid
- Die Schwäbische Alb ist ein Mittelgebirge in Süddeutschland.The Swabian Alps are a medium-sized mountain chain in Southern Germany.This sentence illustrates the use of Mittel in the compound 'Mittelgebirge' to describe a mountain range.Tatoeba #1053160 by Esperantostern, translation #12925509 by rul
- Tom arbeitet in der Buchhaltung eines mittelständischen Unternehmens.Tom works in the accounts department of a medium-sized company.This sentence demonstrates the use of mittel in the adjective 'mittelständischen' to describe a company.Tatoeba #8644335 by Melang, translation #11235305 by sundown
- Das neue Restaurant serviert Gerichte von mittlerer Größe.The new restaurant serves dishes of medium size.
- Der Preis liegt im durchschnittlichen Bereich.The price is in the average range.
- Das Shirt ist mittelgroß und passt perfekt.The shirt is medium-sized and fits perfectly.
- Der Film war halbwegs gut.The movie was fairly good.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are at a coffee shop ordering drinks.
- SarahIch hätte gerne einen mittelgroßen Kaffee.I would like a medium coffee.
- JulianMöchtest du auch Milch dazu, Sarah?Do you want milk with that too, Sarah?
- SarahJa, bitte. Und für dich, Julian?Yes, please. And for you, Julian?
- JulianIch nehme einen kleinen Espresso.I'll take a small espresso.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mittel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
