das  Mehr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/meːɐ̯/

📖 What does "das Mehr" mean?

Das Mehr (noun, neuter) refers to a surplus, an additional amount, an advantage, or a gain. It is the substantivized form of the adverb or comparative adjective mehr (more).

It's often used to express an additional quantity that isn't precisely specified or a qualitative advantage.

• Meaning 1: Surplus, additional amount (e.g., in calculations). Example: Das Mehr an Einnahmen deckt die Kosten. (The surplus in revenue covers the costs.)
• Meaning 2: Advantage, gain, plus point (often abstract). Example: Dieses Auto bietet ein deutliches Mehr an Sicherheit. (This car offers a clear advantage in safety.)

⚠️ It's important to distinguish das Mehr (noun, neuter) from mehr (adverb/indefinite pronoun, e.g., "Ich will mehr Kuchen" - I want more cake).

🧐 Grammar of "das Mehr" in Detail

Das Mehr is a substantivized adverb/adjective and is treated as a noun. It is neuter (sächlich) and mostly used in the singular.

Declension Singular

Note: The genitive form "des Mehrs" is more common than "des Mehr".

Declension Plural

The plural "die Mehrs" is very rare and hardly ever used. If used, it refers to different kinds of advantages or surpluses.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Vertrag bietet ein deutliches Mehr an Leistungen.
   (The contract offers a clear advantage in services.)
2. Wir brauchen nicht nur Quantität, sondern auch ein Mehr an Qualität.
   (We need not only quantity, but also an added value in quality.)
3. Das Mehr an Stimmen sicherte ihm den Sieg.
   (The surplus of votes secured him the victory.)
4. Manchmal ist weniger das eigentliche Mehr.
   (Sometimes less is the real more. [Philosophical])

💡 How to use "das Mehr"?

Das Mehr is mostly used in slightly more formal language or specific contexts:

• Economy & Finance: To express a surplus, profit, or added value (e.g., das Mehr an Rendite - the surplus in returns).
• Comparisons & Evaluations: To describe an advantage or additional benefit (e.g., ein Mehr an Komfort - an added level of comfort).
• Abstract Concepts: To name a qualitative increase (e.g., ein Mehr an Lebensfreude - *an increase in joie de vivre/enjoyment of life*).

Differentiation:

• mehr (adverb/pronoun): Denotes a larger quantity or number. Example: Ich habe mehr Geld als du. (I have more money than you.)
• das Mehr (noun): Refers to the surplus or advantage itself. Example: Das Mehr, das ich habe, investiere ich. (The surplus that I have, I invest.)
• die Mehrheit (noun): Means the majority, the larger part of a group. Example: Die Mehrheit stimmte dafür. (The majority voted for it.)

You can also find "das Mehr" in fixed phrases or compound words like Mehrwert (added value) or Mehrbedarf (additional need).

🧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: Think of the English word surplus*. The 's' hints at something neutral, often associated with 'das' in German. So, it's *das Mehr.

Meaning Mnemonic: When you get more (mehr) of something, the extra part, the surplus, is das Mehr*. It's the little extra bonus on top.*

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• mehr: Adverb or indefinite pronoun (more). Example: Ich will mehr! (I want more!)
• die Mehrheit: The majority.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Buchhalter: "Haben wir dieses Jahr ein Mehr erwirtschaftet?"
Antwortet der Buchhalter: "Ja, Chef! Ein Mehr an Arbeit!"

Translation:

The boss asks the accountant: "Did we generate a surplus (ein Mehr) this year?"

The accountant replies: "Yes, boss! A surplus of work!"

✍️ Poem about das Mehr

Manchmal ist's ein kleiner Rest,
manchmal hält es dich ganz fest.
Ein Plus, ein Vorteil, klar und rein,
das Mehr kann vieles sein.
Ein Lächeln, das den Tag erhellt,
ein Mehr an Glück in dieser Welt.

Translation:

Sometimes it's a small remainder,
Sometimes it holds you very firm.
APlus, an advantage, clear and pure,
das Mehr can be many things.
A smile that brightens up the day,
A bit more happiness in this world.

🕵️ A Riddle

Ich bin kein Mensch, doch hab' Gewicht,
bin oft gezählt, doch seh' dich nicht.
Ich bin der Rest, der Überschuss,
der Vorteil oder der Genuss.
Mit 'das' steh ich meist allein,
was kann ich nur sein?

Translation:

I am not human, yet I have weight,
I'm often counted, but don't see you straight.
I am the rest, the surplus amount,
The advantage or the pleasure found.
With 'das' I mostly stand alone,
What can I possibly be known?

Solution: das Mehr

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation: "Das Mehr" is a classic example of substantivization (Substantivierung) in German, where an adjective or adverb (here the comparative mehr) is turned into a noun by using an article (here das) and capitalization.

Compound Words (Komposita): The word "Mehr" is part of many important compound words in German, such as:

• Mehrwert (added value)
• Mehrbedarf (additional need)
• Mehrkosten (additional costs)
• Mehrarbeit (overtime / extra work)
• Mehrheit (majority - Note: different article, 'die')