German Conversation · Level 22
89 words
German word
gering
Pronunciation
IPA/gəˈʁɪŋ/
Meaning
- adjectivesmall
Example
Ein geringer Betrag reicht.
A small amount is enough.
More examples
Die Reparatur verursachte nur geringe Kosten.
The repair incurred only low costs.
Core concept
A low level on a scale of amount, importance, or strength, such as a small payment with little impact.
Common phrases
geringe Kosten
low costs
ein geringer Unterschied
a slight difference
Similar words
wenig: Present in a limited quantity or number.
klein: Limited in physical size or overall amount.
schwach: Low in force, effect, or intensity.
niedrig: At a low height, numerical value, or level.
Definition in German
Gering beschreibt etwas von kaum nennenswerter Größe, Menge oder Bedeutung.
Word origin
The adjective gering comes through Middle High German geringe from the older Germanic word gering and has long expressed the idea of something small or slight.
Usage tips
- For a few countable items, German usually uses wenige rather than geringe; gering is more natural for a quantity, degree, or significance.
Other meanings
- littleadjective
- lowadjective
Opposites
- großlargeadjective