weniger

Weniger is a German word meaning "less" or "fewer." It is the comparative form of the adjective wenig, used to express a smaller quantity relative to a reference point. The base wenig denotes a small amount or number and can function as a determiner, a pronoun when used alone, or an adverb when modifying a verb or an adjective.

As a determiner before a noun, weniger is used with mass nouns and count nouns to indicate a reduced amount: weniger Geld (less money), weniger Zeit (less time), weniger Platz (less space). In comparative constructions it is often used with als: weniger als drei Minuten; weniger als du erwartet hast. As an adverb, it can modify verbs or adjectives: Er arbeitet weniger als früher; Der Film war weniger spannend als der Roman.

Usage notes: In German, the opposed form mehr means "more." The pair mehr vs. weniger is common in media and policy language (mehr Verkehr, weniger Emissionen). The expression Weniger ist mehr ("less is more") is a well-known proverb. With count nouns, the word wenige denotes a small number, while weniger emphasizes the relative amount; examples: weniger Menschen vs. wenige Menschen. The superlative is am wenigsten, meaning "the least."