mehrgebrachte

Mehrgebrachte is a neologistic term used in German-language sociocultural discussions to describe a growing trend in which participants bring more items or resources to communal events than previously, altering expectations and logistics. The term combines mehr ('more') with gebrachte, a nonstandard past participle form related to bringen ('to bring'), following patterns seen in other coined compounds such as mitgebrachte.

Although not part of standard German, mehrgebrachte appears in theoretical writing and online debates about potlucks, community projects, and collaborative events. It can refer to both the aggregate volume of contributions (the 'mehrgebrachte' at an event) and to the social norms influencing participants to bring additional items, such as food, tools, or funds. Proponents argue that the concept helps analyze changes in sharing practices, volunteer labor, and reciprocal expectations; critics caution that it can obscure underlying inequalities or logistics challenges.

Examples of the phenomenon can be observed in many neighborhood gatherings, where the mehrgebrachte trend has led organizers to rethink capacity planning and waste management. The term is also used to discuss how increased contributions interact with budgeting, space, and time constraints at community activities.

Related terms include mitgebrachte (brought along), Mitbringsel (party favor), and broader concepts from gift exchange and social capital theory.