SMEs / middle class
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SMEs
The group of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that play an important role in a country's economy.
Der deutsche Mittelstand ist für seine Innovationskraft und seine vielen Arbeitsplätze bekannt.
German SMEs are known for their innovative strength and their many jobs.
'Mittelstand' is composed of 'die Mitte' (the middle) and 'der Stand' (status, class). So it literally describes a group located in the middle—either in the economy or in society.
Sein Einkommen ordnet ihn dem gehobenen Mittelstand zu.
His income places him in the upper middle class.
You can tell from the context whether the economic or social meaning is intended. If it is about companies, jobs, and innovation, the economic sense is meant. If it is about income, lifestyle, and society, the social class is meant.
Viele Familienunternehmen bilden das Rückgrat des deutschen Mittelstands.
Many family businesses form the backbone of German SMEs.
In Germany, 'Mittelstand' as a term for small and medium-sized enterprises has a special, positive meaning. It is often seen as the engine of the economy and a guarantor of stability.
Die Regierung plant neue Förderprogramme für den Mittelstand.
The government is planning new support programs for SMEs.
When the social class is meant, 'Mittelstand' is often described more precisely. Typical combinations are 'der bürgerliche Mittelstand' (the bourgeois middle class), 'der untere Mittelstand' (the lower middle class), or 'der gehobene Mittelstand' (the upper middle class).
Die Studie analysiert die Werte des bürgerlichen Mittelstands.
The study analyzes the values of the bourgeois middle class.
middle class / mid-range
'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.
Der Mittelstand braucht klare Regeln und weniger Bürokratie.
SMEs need clear rules and less bureaucracy.
Für die lange Fahrt mietet Mehmet ein Auto der Mittelklasse.
Mehmet rents a mid-range car for the long drive.