rationierte

Rationierte is the past participle and, used as an adjective, the form of the German verb rationieren, meaning to allocate or restrict the amount of a good that may be used or distributed. In this sense, rationierte describes goods, supplies, or policies that are fixed to limited portions rather than available without limit. The term often appears in formal or descriptive writing and is linked to the concept of rationing.

Usage and context: The word is commonly encountered in discussions of shortages or controlled economies. Examples include rationierte Lebensmittel (rationed foods), rationierte Versorgung (rationed supply), or rationierte Lieferungen (rationed deliveries). In sentences, one might say: Die Regierung rationierte den Treibstoff, um Knappheit zu bewältigen. Historically, rationierte systems were widespread during wars or postwar periods when resources were scarce, and governments sought to ensure fair distribution.

Etymology and related terms: Rationieren is borrowed into German from French rationner, with the related noun Ration referring to a fixed portion. The concept is tied to the broader practice of managing scarce resources through fixed quantities, quotas, or distribution rules.

See also: Rationing, ration, supply management, wartime economy.

Notes: The adjective rationiert (and its forms like rationierte) remains primarily a descriptive term used in policy analyses, historiography, and logistical discussions. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer expressions like “in begrenzten Mengen verfügbar” or “knapp,” depending on context.