mittelständisch
Translation
medium-sized, SME (small and medium-sized enterprise)
Examples
Mittelständische Unternehmen sind wichtig für die Wirtschaft.
Medium-sized companies are important for the economy.
Er leitet ein mittelständisches Familienunternehmen.
He runs a medium-sized family business.
Grammar Patterns
describes a ((noun)) A mittelständisches Unternehmen has many employees.
Similar Words
Synonyms: mittelgroß (medium-sized)
Etymology
From 'Mittel' (middle) + 'Stand' (class, status) + '-isch' (adjective suffix). Literally means 'of the middle status'.
Memory Tips
Think of companies that are 'standing in the middle' – not small, not large corporations. These are the backbone of the German economy.