mild
Refers to the weather and describes pleasantly warm temperatures that are not cold or harsh.
EXAMPLE
Für einen Tag im November war es erstaunlich mild.
For a day in November, it was surprisingly mild.
mild
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Meanings
mild
Refers to taste or smell and describes something that is not spicy, strong, bitter, or intense.
EXAMPLE
Ich mag diesen Käse, weil er so schön mild und cremig ist.
I like this cheese because it is so nicely mild and creamy.
mild
gentle
Describes a person, their nature, or their expression as gentle, kind, and not strict.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der schwierigen Situation blieb er ruhig und sprach mit milder Stimme.
Despite the difficult situation, he remained calm and spoke in a gentle voice.
mild
lenient
Refers to a judgment, criticism, or punishment and means that it is lenient and not harsh.
EXAMPLE
Angesichts der Umstände fällte der Richter ein mildes Urteil.
Given the circumstances, the judge handed down a lenient verdict.
mild
Refers to the course of an illness or to symptoms and means that they are not severe or strongly pronounced.
EXAMPLE
Zum Glück hatte sie nur einen milden Verlauf von COVID-19.
Fortunately, she only had a mild case of COVID-19.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In connection with the weather, 'mild' describes pleasant, not cold conditions. Typical combinations are 'milde Temperaturen' (mild temperatures), 'ein milder Winter' (a mild winter), or 'ein milder Abend' (a mild evening).
EXAMPLE
Wir genießen die milden Temperaturen im Frühling.
We are enjoying the mild temperatures in spring.
Typical collocations
In relation to taste, 'mild' means not spicy or intense. For example, people speak of 'mildem Käse' (mild cheese), 'milden Zwiebeln' (mild onions), 'mildem Curry' (mild curry), or 'mildem Senf' (mild mustard).
EXAMPLE
Kinder mögen oft lieber milden Senf.
Children often prefer mild mustard.
Typical collocations
When describing a person or their behavior, 'mild' means gentle and friendly. Common phrases are 'ein mildes Lächeln' (a gentle smile) or 'eine milde Stimme' (a gentle voice).
EXAMPLE
Er hat ein sehr mildes Wesen und wird nie laut.
He has a very gentle nature and never raises his voice.
Typical collocations
In a legal or critical context, 'mild' means lenient. Typical collocations are 'eine milde Strafe' (a lenient punishment), 'ein mildes Urteil' (a lenient verdict), or 'milde Kritik' (mild criticism).
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte hoffte auf eine milde Strafe.
The defendant hoped for a lenient punishment.
Typical collocations
In the medical field, 'mild' describes a condition that is not severe. People speak of 'einem milden Verlauf' (a mild course) or 'milden Symptomen' (mild symptoms).
EXAMPLE
Die meisten Patienten hatten nur milde Symptome.
Most patients had only mild symptoms.
Compare with
mild vs leicht
light / easy
Leicht and mild can both express a low severity of complaints. Leicht generally describes low intensity. Mild is used specifically for a non-serious course of an illness or its symptoms; in this area, both words are often possible.
mild
Maras Erkältung verläuft mild und verursacht nur wenige Beschwerden.
Mara's cold is mild and causes only a few complaints.
leicht
Mara hat nur eine leichte Erkältung und fühlt sich kaum beeinträchtigt.
Mara only has a slight cold and is hardly affected by it.
In real life
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