gering

Gering is a German adjective meaning small in size, extent, or importance. It describes quantities, degrees, or effects that are not large: for example, eine geringe Menge (a small amount), ein geringes Risiko (a low risk), or nur ein geringfügiger Nutzen (only a negligible benefit). The term also occurs in adverbial phrases such as in geringem Maße (to a small extent) or mit geringem Aufwand (with little effort). It can be used predicatively with sein: Die Kosten sind gering (The costs are low).

Declension and grammar: Gering is declined like a normal adjective and is placed before the noun in attributive position. Examples include: ein geringer Betrag (masculine, nominative), eine geringe Chance (feminine), ein geringes Gewicht (neuter). In the plural: geringe Beträge, geringe Kosten. In phrases with prepositions, the form follows the case: mit geringem Aufwand, in geringem Maße.

Usage notes: The basic sense of gering conveys smallness in amount or degree. The related term geringfügig emphasizes negligible or minor significance, often in formal or technical contexts. Although gering can describe amount, degree, or impact, it is typically more neutral and factual than stronger adjectives like klein or schlecht. The word is common in written German, including journalism, economics, and policy discourse.

Etymology and related terms: Gering comes from the Germanic linguistic lineage meaning small or meager and has cognates in related languages. Related expressions include der geringe Betrag, die geringe Chance, and the adverbial phrase in geringem Maße. Note that Gering (capitalized) is a proper noun in English-language contexts, referring to a place or surname, and is distinct from the German adjective.