maß

Maß is a German noun with several related meanings. In everyday language it denotes a measure or amount and can refer to the size, extent, or degree of something. The word is frequently used in both literal and figurative senses, and it appears in many compound nouns such as Maßstab (scale, ruler) and Maßnahme (measure, action).

In Bavaria and parts of Austria, Maß is a traditional unit of volume equal to one liter. It is most familiar from beer culture, where a Maßkrug is a one‑liter beer mug. Common related terms include Halbe Maß (0.5 liter) and Doppelmaß (2 liters). The expression ein Maß Bier is widely understood in German-speaking regions and at beer halls and festivals such as Oktoberfest.

Beyond its regional sense as a unit, Maß functions as a general concept of measurement. Phrases such as das Maß der Dinge (the measure of things) or in diesem Maß (to this extent) illustrate its figurative use. The term also appears in compounds like Maßstab (scale), Maßnahme (measure or policy), and maßvoll (moderate), which reflect the core idea of setting and observing a standard or limit.

Etymologically, Maß derives from Old High German maz and has long served as a generic term for a defined quantity. In modern use, the unit sense is regional, while standard metric units (liters, liters, and so on) are used in formal contexts. The plural form is Maße when referring to different kinds of measures; when counting the unit in everyday speech, speakers often say ein Maß and zwei Maß.