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Learn essential Mengenadverbien in German, like viel (a lot), wenig (a little), ein bisschen (a bit), genug (enough), alles (everything), and nichts (nothing), to express quantities clearly in everyday conversations.
  1. “Viel” and “wenig” are used with countable and uncountable nouns.
  2. „Ein bisschen“ is only used with uncountable nouns.
  3. “Alles” and “nichts” refer to a totality or absence.
Adverb (Adverb)Beispiel (Example)
VielEr hat viel Geld. (He has much money.)
WenigIch kaufe nur wenig Fleisch. (I only buy little meat.)
Ein bisschenWillst du ein bisschen Zucker? (Do you want a little sugar?)
GenugHast du genug Geld? (Do you have enough money?)
NichtsIch habe nichts bezahlt. (I paid nothing.)
AllesSie hat alles bezahlt.  (She paid everything.)

Exercise 1: Mengenadverbien

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

wenig, alles, viele, viel, ein bisschen

1. 1/2 Löffel:
Willst du ... Zucker in deinem Tee?
(Do you want a little sugar in your tea?)
2. 200€:
Er hat ... Geld bei sich.
(He has a lot of money with him.)
3. : 20 Äpfel und Birnen:
Er kauft ... Obst.
(He buys a lot of fruit.)
4. 10€:
Sie will ... Geld leihen.
(She wants to borrow a little money.)
5. 2€:
Ich habe ... Geld in meinem Portemonnaie.
(I have little money in my wallet.)
6. 15 Dinge:
Wir haben ... Dinge zu tun.
(We have many things to do.)
7. Nur 10 Minuten:
Ich habe ... Zeit, um zu bezahlen.
(I have little time to pay.)
8. 45€ von 45€:
Er hat ... bei der Kasse bezahlt.
(He paid for everything at the till.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Ich gebe ____ Freund das Geld für den Kaffee.

(I give ____ friend the money for the coffee.)

2. Der Verkäufer zeigt dir ____ Preisliste.

(The seller shows you ____ price list.)

3. Wir kaufen ____ Dame ein Geschenk zum Geburtstag.

(We buy ____ lady a present for her birthday.)

4. Sie hilft ____ Kollegen bei der Arbeit.

(She helps ____ colleague with the work.)

5. Ich gebe ____ Eltern genug Geld für die Reise.

(I give ____ parents enough money for the trip.)

6. Kannst du ____ Chef die Rechnung zeigen?

(Can you show ____ boss the invoice?)

Understanding Mengenadverbien (Quantity Adverbs) in German

This lesson introduces Mengenadverbien, which are essential adverbs indicating quantity or amount in German. These words help you express how much or how little of something there is. Common examples include viel (much, a lot), wenig (few, little), ein bisschen (a little bit), genug (enough), nichts (nothing), and alles (everything).

Key Mengenadverbien and Their Usage

  • Viel – used with both countable and uncountable nouns to denote a large amount. Example: Er hat viel Geld.
  • Wenig – expresses a small quantity and works with countable and uncountable nouns. Example: Ich kaufe nur wenig Fleisch.
  • Ein bisschen – used exclusively with uncountable nouns to express a small bit or some. Example: Willst du ein bisschen Zucker?
  • Genug – means enough. Example: Hast du genug Geld?
  • Nichts – refers to nothing or none of something. Example: Ich habe nichts bezahlt.
  • Alles – refers to everything or all of something. Example: Sie hat alles bezahlt.

Important Notes on Usage

Mengenadverbien play a crucial role in everyday communication by quantifying nouns and thus providing clear information about amounts. Not all adverbs can be used interchangeably; for instance, ein bisschen applies only to uncountable nouns like sugar or water but not to countable nouns like apples.

Comparing German Mengenadverbien and English Quantity Expressions

Unlike English, many German quantity adverbs are directly related to whether the noun is countable or uncountable, which affects their correct application. For example, viel corresponds broadly to “much” or “a lot” and is flexible across noun types. However, ein bisschen is more specific, similar to “a little bit,” and is used only with uncountable nouns. English learners should be aware of these distinctions to use the adverbs naturally.

Useful comparison phrases:

  • Er hat viel Geld. – He has a lot of money.
  • Ich kaufe nur wenig Fleisch. – I buy only a little meat.
  • Willst du ein bisschen Zucker? – Do you want a little sugar?
  • Hast du genug Geld? – Do you have enough money?

Keep practicing these adverbs and pay attention to which nouns are countable and uncountable to use them correctly and fluently in your conversations.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 16:44