middle class
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middle class
The social class in a society that, in terms of income, education, and occupation, is located between the upper class and the lower class.
Die Steuerreform soll vor allem die Mittelschicht entlasten.
The tax reform is intended above all to ease the burden on the middle class.
The word consists of 'Mittel-' (middle) and 'Schicht' (layer/class). It metaphorically describes the social class located in the middle of society, like a geological layer.
Der Wohlstand der Mittelschicht ist ein wichtiges Thema in der Wirtschaftspolitik.
The prosperity of the middle class is an important topic in economic policy.
'Mittelschicht' (middle class) is part of a system for describing society. The other parts are the 'Unterschicht' (lower class, literally lower layer) and the 'Oberschicht' (upper class, literally upper layer).
Soziologen analysieren die Übergänge zwischen Ober-, Mittel- und Unterschicht.
Sociologists analyze the transitions between the upper, middle, and lower classes.
Common verbs in this context are 'zur Mittelschicht gehören' (to belong to the middle class) or 'in die Mittelschicht aufsteigen' (to rise into the middle class). A typical adjective is 'breit' (broad), as in 'die breite Mittelschicht' (the broad middle class).
Viele Familien hoffen, durch Bildung in die Mittelschicht aufzusteigen.
Many families hope to rise into the middle class through education.
SMEs / middle class
'Mittelstand' and 'Mittelschicht' can be very similar in the social sense: both can refer to the group between the top and the bottom of society. 'Mittelschicht' is the clearer word for this when talking about people's income, education, occupation, and social position. 'Mittelstand' can also have this social meaning, but it is very often used for small and medium-sized enterprises. That is why confusion can easily arise. If you are talking about companies, 'Mittelstand' fits better. If you are talking about social groups in society, 'Mittelschicht' is usually more precise.
Die steigenden Mieten belasten auch viele Familien aus der Mittelschicht.
Rising rents are also putting a strain on many middle-class families.
Viele Betriebe im Mittelstand suchen dringend neue Fachkräfte.
Many SMEs urgently need new skilled workers.