German Conversation · Level 19
90 words
German word
wenig
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈveːnɪç/
Meaning
- adjectivefew
Example
Es gibt nur wenige Probleme.
There are just a few problems.
More examples
Ich habe wenig Geld dabei.
I have little money with me.
Core concept
A nearly empty handful, whether the scarce items are countable or the amount is measured as a whole.
Common phrases
wenig Zeit
little time
wenig Geld
little money
Similar words
gering: Low in amount or degree and of limited importance or effect.
knapp: Insufficient in amount or time, with almost no room to spare.
Definition in German
Wenig bedeutet, dass nur ein geringer Anteil oder nur eine geringe Menge einer Sache vorhanden ist.
Word origin
Wenig is an inherited Germanic word, developing through Old and Middle High German forms related to the sense of a small amount.
Usage tips
- With plural count nouns, wenig takes the inflected form wenige, as in wenige Probleme, while wenig remains common with mass nouns such as wenig Zeit.
Other meanings
- littleadjective
Opposites
- vielmuchadjective
Related words
- wenigstensat leastadverb
- das Wenigethe littlenoun