Massen

Massen is the plural form of Masse in German. It is used to refer to large quantities or volumes of matter or objects, as in phrases like Massen von Daten or Massen an Informationen. In everyday language it often conveys a sense of abundance or bulk.

In physics and everyday science, Masse denotes the property of matter that contributes to inertia and gravitational interaction. The plural Massen can appear when discussing multiple objects or systems with mass, but the singular Masse is far more common when describing the property of a single object. The word is also employed in a broader sense to indicate a substantial amount of something, not necessarily physical, such as “Massen von Belegen.”

Massen can also mean the masses in a sociopolitical or cultural sense—the general public or large groups of people. In this usage, Die Massen refers to the broad masses or the common people, often in discussions about public opinion or mass movements.

Etymology: Masse in German is borrowed from the French masse, with roots in the Latin massa meaning lump or bulk. The sense of a bulk quantity and, by extension, mass, developed in German usage over time.

See also: Masse (singular), Mass in physics, mass in everyday language.