Also means
with restraint, in measured amounts
Usage Note
mäßig describes doing something in restrained, middling quantities — neither too much nor too little. Often used in compound adverbs like mäßig erfolgreich (moderately successful) or as a suffix (regelmäßig, gleichmäßig). Unlike ziemlich, it implies deliberate restraint rather than mere degree.
Examples
"Er trinkt mäßig und raucht gar nicht."
Natural Translation
He drinks in moderation and doesn't smoke at all.
Literal Translation
He drinks moderately and smokes not at all.
Free starter pack
Building your German vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore German by topic
