meist
mostly
Used as an adverb to express that something is true in most cases or for most of the time. Synonymous with "meistens" (usually/mostly).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende schlafe ich meist lange aus.
On weekends, I usually sleep in late.
meist
mostly / most
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Meanings
die meisten
most
Used as an inflected adjective to refer to the majority of a group of people or things.
EXAMPLE
Die meisten Schüler haben die Prüfung bestanden.
Most students passed the exam.
am meisten
the most
The superlative form of "viel" (much/a lot), indicating the highest degree or the greatest amount of something.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Buch hat mir am meisten gefallen.
I liked this book the most.
Usage tips
Superlative of 'viel'
The forms 'meist', 'die meisten', and 'am meisten' are all superlatives of 'viel' (much/a lot). They express the greatest amount, frequency, or highest degree.
EXAMPLE
Er liest viel, aber sein Bruder liest am meisten.
He reads a lot, but his brother reads the most.
Word order of 'meist'
As an adverb, 'meist' means something like 'normally' or 'usually'. It can stand at the beginning of the sentence (position 1) or in the middle of the sentence (often after the verb).
EXAMPLE
Meist gehe ich am Sonntag spazieren.
Usually I go for a walk on Sunday.
Using 'die meisten'
The form 'die meisten' (most) is used like an adjective before a plural noun. It refers to the majority of a group and is always declined.
EXAMPLE
Die meisten Menschen mögen Schokolade.
Most people like chocolate.
Using 'am meisten'
The form 'am meisten' (the most) is an adverb and is not declined. It modifies a verb and expresses the highest degree.
EXAMPLE
Diese Serie gefällt mir von allen am meisten.
Of all of them, I like this series the most.
Compare with
meist vs meistens
mostly
Here, meist and meistens both mean that something happens in the majority of cases. Meist is more compact and stylistically neutral, while meistens often sounds a little more conversational. In many sentences, either one is possible without any significant difference in meaning.
meist
Der Bus ist morgens meist voll.
The bus is usually full in the mornings.
meistens
Der Bus ist morgens meistens voll.
The bus is usually full in the mornings.
In real life
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