lesser
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less / no less
An elevated expression for 'weniger' (less) or 'in geringerem Maße' (to a lesser degree). It expresses a reduction in degree, amount, or intensity.
Seine Leistung war in diesem Jahr nicht minder beeindruckend als im letzten.
His performance this year was no less impressive than last year.
'Minder' (lesser/less) belongs to a word family centered around the idea of 'wenig' (little/few). Related words are 'mindestens' (at least), 'vermindern' (to reduce), and 'die Minderheit' (the minority).
Wir müssen die Kosten um mindestens zehn Prozent vermindern.
We need to reduce the costs by at least ten percent.
In the meaning 'weniger' (less), 'minder' belongs to elevated written language and often sounds formal or literary. It is rare in normal everyday usage.
Sein Beitrag zur Diskussion war nicht minder wichtig.
His contribution to the discussion was no less important.
The fixed expression 'nicht minder' (no less) is especially common and means 'genauso' (just as) or 'ebenso' (equally). In this combination, 'minder' is not declined.
Die zweite Reise war nicht minder aufregend als die erste.
The second trip was no less exciting than the first.
When 'minder' describes poor quality, it often appears before a noun in the fixed construction '[Nomen] minder Qualität' ([noun] of inferior quality). Here, 'minder' is not declined.
Er kaufte nur Produkte minder Qualität, um Geld zu sparen.
He bought only products of inferior quality in order to save money.
more
'mehr' and 'minder' are opposites when it comes to quantity, degree, or intensity. 'mehr' means a larger quantity or a higher degree. 'minder' means 'less' or 'to a lesser degree', but it sounds elevated and is rare in everyday speech. In normal conversations, people usually say 'weniger'. 'Minder' fits better in fixed or formal expressions. The simple contrast is: 'mehr' means higher or larger, while 'minder' means lower or lesser.
Die neue Lösung ist minder teuer als die alte, aber sie wirkt auch weniger stabil.
The new solution is less expensive than the old one, but it also seems less stable.
Im Sommer trinkt der Fahrer mehr Wasser als im Winter.
In summer, the driver drinks more water than in winter.