mager

Mager is a term used in German and Dutch with related meanings centered on thinness or sparseness. It is also a surname in German- and Dutch-speaking regions and can appear in historical or place-name contexts. In English, the closest common form is meager, while related forms exist in other languages such as French maigre or Spanish magro.

In German, mager functions as an adjective meaning lean, thin, or undernourished. It describes people, animals, or foods. Common uses include mageres Fleisch for lean meat and a generally lean diet described as eine magere Ernährung. In nutrition labeling, mager is widely used to indicate low-fat or lean products.

In Dutch, mager is used similarly. It can describe people or food, and appears in phrases such as magere melk for skimmed milk and other low-fat preparations.

As a surname, Mager occurs in German- and Dutch-speaking areas. It may also appear in place names or historical documents without implying any single famous bearer.

Translations and cognates: English meager is the closest common counterpart, while French maigre, Spanish magro, and other Romance and Germanic forms share the same basic sense of thinness or sparseness. The word’s usage remains largely descriptive, applicable to people, foods, and nutritional labeling, with nuance varying by language and context.