Mitte
/ˈmɪ.tə/
The German word for middle is Mitte.
Mitte is a noun used to describe a general middle area, a midpoint or a specific point in time. For example, you can use it without an article to refer to a time period, such as Mitte Mai (mid-May).
Meaning: centre, midpoint (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Mitte is a noun, the adjective mittig is used to describe something that is positioned centrally. Additionally, Mitte refers to a general middle area or time, whereas der Mittelpunkt refers to a specific geometric center or a person who is the center of attention.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say that something is located in the middle, you use the preposition in with the dative feminine article der to form the phrase in der Mitte.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɪ.tə/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Berlin, Mitte is not just a word for 'middle' but the name of a central borough. It is the historic heart of the city where the Museum Island and the Brandenburg Gate are located.
- While Mitte means 'middle', the closely related word Mittel changes meaning entirely to refer to a 'means' or 'method' for achieving a goal.
- The German word Mitte is a distant relative of the English word 'mid'. They both trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root *medʰyo-.
Examples in context
- Ich blieb bis Mitte Oktober.I stayed until the middle of October.This sentence shows how to use Mitte to refer to a point in time.Tatoeba #12509447 by Waldelfe, translation #12505086 by CK
- Er kommt aus dem Mittelstand.He comes from the middle class.This sentence uses Mitte as part of a term for a social class.Tatoeba #758972 by Dejo, translation #301544 by CK
- Falte das Blatt in der Mitte.Fold the paper in the middle.This sentence demonstrates how to use Mitte to describe a physical location.Tatoeba #1524598 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #47336 by Eldad
- In der Mitte des RaumesIn the middle of the room
- Die Mitte des JahresThe middle of the year
- Ist der Platz in der Mitte noch frei?Is the seat in the middle still available?
- Lass uns in der Mitte des Tages treffen.Let's meet in the middle of the day.
- Wir treffen uns mitten in der Stadt.We are meeting in the middle of the city.
- Er wohnt mitten im Wald.He lives in the middle of the forest.
- Das Haus in der Mitte der Straße.The house in the middle of the street.
- 238 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are deciding where to put a table in a room.
- LauraSollen wir den Tisch in die Mitte stellen?Should we put the table in the middle?
- LukasJa, das sieht dort am besten aus.Yes, it looks best there.
- LauraHilf mir bitte, ihn in die Mitte zu schieben.Please help me push it into the middle.
- LukasAlles klar, ich helfe dir, Laura.All right, I'll help you, Laura.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Mitte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Mitte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
