Ausmaß

Ausmaß is a German noun meaning extent, magnitude, scope, or degree. It denotes the size, reach, or intensity of something and can refer to quantitative measures (how much) as well as qualitative assessments (how severe). The term is widely used in everyday language but also appears in technical, legal, and scientific contexts to express the scale of phenomena, effects, or conditions.

In usage, Ausmaß often appears in phrases such as "in welchem Ausmaß" (to what extent), "das Ausmaß der Schäden" (the extent of the damages), or "das Ausmaß der Zerstörung" (the magnitude of the destruction). The expression allows both precise measurements and more general judgments, depending on the accompanying context or data. It is common in journalism, reporting, and analysis to quantify impact, risk, or reach with this word.

Etymologically, Ausmaß is formed from aus- (out, completely) and Maß (measure). The combination conveys the total or outer measure of something. In translation, Ausmaß is typically rendered as extent or magnitude; related terms include Umfang (scope, breadth), Maß (measure), and Grad (degree). While related, these terms carry nuanced differences: Ausmaß emphasizes scale and impact, Umfang emphasizes overall scope, and Grad focuses on a point along a continuum. In specialized texts, Ausmaß helps express the dimension of effects, damage, or influence in a concise, evaluative way.