middle class / mid-range
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middle class
A social class in society that, in terms of income, education, and occupation, is positioned between the upper class and the lower class. It is often seen as a stabilizing factor in a society.
Der Wohlstand der Mittelklasse ist in den letzten Jahren unter Druck geraten.
The prosperity of the middle class has come under pressure in recent years.
The word is made up of 'die Mitte' (the middle), here as 'Mittel-', and 'die Klasse' (the class). So it literally refers to the 'middle class' or category, whether in society or for products.
Dieses Produkt ist preislich in der Mittelklasse angesiedelt.
This product is positioned in the mid-range price segment.
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about society, income, or politics, it refers to the social class. If it is about cars, hotels, or technical devices, it refers to a product category.
Die Studie untersucht die finanzielle Lage der Mittelklasse. (soziale Schicht)
The study examines the financial situation of the middle class. (social class)
When referring to the social class, typical phrases are 'zur Mittelklasse gehören' (to belong to the middle class), 'in die Mittelklasse aufsteigen' (to move up into the middle class), or 'die soziale/bürgerliche Mittelklasse' (the social/bourgeois middle class).
Viele Familien hoffen auf den sozialen Aufstieg in die Mittelklasse.
Many families hope for social advancement into the middle class.
With products, a genitive construction is usually used to express belonging: 'ein Auto der Mittelklasse' (a mid-range car), 'ein Hotel der Mittelklasse' (a mid-range hotel).
Wir haben für den Urlaub ein komfortables Auto der Mittelklasse gemietet.
We rented a comfortable mid-range car for the vacation.
SMEs / middle class
'Mittelstand' and 'Mittelklasse' can both have to do with a middle position in society. In this social sense, 'Mittelstand' refers to the bourgeois middle class, and 'Mittelklasse' refers to a similar social group in terms of income, education, and occupation. The difference lies in typical usage. 'Mittelstand' is very often used for small and medium-sized enterprises. 'Mittelklasse' is also often used for products, especially cars, that are neither very cheap nor very expensive. Learners may confuse the words because both sound like they are about the 'middle'. For companies, 'Mittelstand' is correct; for cars, 'Mittelklasse' sounds natural.
Für die lange Fahrt mietet Mehmet ein Auto der Mittelklasse.
Mehmet rents a mid-range car for the long drive.
Der Mittelstand braucht klare Regeln und weniger Bürokratie.
SMEs need clear rules and less bureaucracy.