mässig
Translation
moderate, mediocre, so-so
Examples
Er trinkt nur mässigen Alkohol.
He only drinks moderate amounts of alcohol.
Die Qualität war nur mässig.
The quality was only mediocre.
Wie geht's? - Mässig.
How are you? - So-so.
Grammar Patterns
((as adjective)) moderate Moderate wine consumption is healthy.
((as adverb)) moderately He only eats moderately.
((as an answer)) so-so How was the film? - So-so.
Similar Words
Synonyms: mediocre, average; Antonyms: excellent, extreme, excessive
Etymology
Derived from 'das Maß' (measure, degree). The '-ig' suffix forms an adjective, implying 'having a certain measure', hence 'moderate'.
Memory Tips
Think of a 'measure' (Maß). Not too much, not too little, just a measured, moderate amount.