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C1 preposition #5,000 most common 10 min read

mittels

Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips mittels in 30 Seconds

Explanation mittels in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually do not need to use the word 'mittels.' Instead, you use the simple word 'mit' (with). For example, if you want to say 'I write with a pen,' you say 'Ich schreibe mit einem Stift.' The word 'mittels' is much too formal for beginners. However, it is good to know that it exists so you are not confused if you see it on a formal sign. Just remember: 'mittels' is like a very fancy version of 'mit' that scientists and lawyers use. If you see it, just think 'by means of' or 'using.'

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more prepositions. While you still use 'mit' for most things, you might see 'mittels' in very simple instructions or on official websites. For example, 'Zahlung mittels Kreditkarte' (Payment by credit card). At this level, you don't need to produce it yourself in speaking, but you should recognize that it is followed by a noun and describes 'how' something is done. It is almost always used with machines or official processes, never with people.

At the B1 level, you should be aware of the difference between formal and informal German. 'Mittels' is a formal preposition. You might use it in a formal letter or an application if you want to sound very precise. It is important to notice that it usually takes the Genitive case (mittels des..., mittels der...). For example, 'Man kann die Tür mittels eines Codes öffnen.' You should start to recognize it in news reports and technical manuals. It is a good word to have in your passive vocabulary so you can understand more complex texts.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand and occasionally use more sophisticated vocabulary. 'Mittels' becomes useful when you are writing reports or giving presentations about technical topics. It allows you to avoid repeating 'mit' or 'durch' too often. You should be comfortable with the Genitive case that follows it. For example, 'Die Forscher untersuchten die Zellen mittels eines Mikroskops.' At this level, you should also know that 'mithilfe von' is a common alternative that sounds slightly less stiff than 'mittels.'

At the C1 level, 'mittels' should be a regular part of your formal writing repertoire. You should understand the nuance that it specifically denotes an instrument or a technical method. You must use the Genitive case correctly with it, including the plural forms (e.g., 'mittels modernster Methoden'). You should also be able to distinguish it from 'durch' (causal/medium) and 'per' (communication/transport). In a C1 exam, using 'mittels' appropriately in a graph description or an argumentative essay will demonstrate a high level of linguistic competence.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'mittels.' You understand its historical roots and its place in the 'Amtssprache' (official language). You can use it effortlessly in academic papers, legal analyses, or high-level technical documentation. You also know the rare dative exceptions and the archaic variant 'vermittels.' For a C2 speaker, 'mittels' is not just a word, but a tool for creating a specific, clinical, and objective tone that is necessary for professional excellence in the German-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

mittels in 30 Seconds

A formal preposition meaning 'by means of' or 'using'.
Typically used in technical, legal, and academic German writing.
Usually followed by the genitive case (e.g., mittels eines Werkzeugs).
Best avoided in casual speech where 'mit' is more appropriate.

The German preposition mittels is a sophisticated and highly formal way to express the concept of 'by means of' or 'using.' While English speakers might frequently use the word 'with' or 'using' to describe the tool or method employed to achieve a result, German offers a hierarchy of prepositions. At the top of this hierarchy, particularly in technical, legal, and academic writing, sits mittels. It specifically identifies the instrument, method, or medium through which an action is performed. Imagine you are writing a manual for a complex piece of machinery or a scientific report detailing a specific procedure; this is the environment where mittels thrives. It elevates the register of the sentence, moving away from the commonality of mit (with) or the slightly more flexible durch (through/by).

Grammatical Essence: Primarily, mittels governs the genitive case. This means that the noun following it usually takes a genitive ending (like -es or -s for masculine and neuter nouns) and the article changes accordingly (des/der). However, in modern usage, especially when the noun is plural and lacks an article or adjective to clearly mark the genitive, the dative case is sometimes employed to avoid ambiguity.
Register and Tone: This word is decidedly formal. You will rarely hear it in a casual conversation at a café. Instead, it appears in official documents, patent descriptions, and philosophical treatises. Using it in spoken German often signals a high level of education or a specific focus on precision.

Der Tresor wurde mittels eines speziellen Bohrers geöffnet.

Translation: The safe was opened by means of a special drill.

When deciding whether to use mittels, ask yourself if the 'means' is a specific tool or a technical process. If you are 'cutting bread with a knife' in a daily context, use mit. If you are 'separating chemical components by means of a centrifuge' in a research paper, mittels is your best choice. It provides a sense of agency to the tool or process being described, highlighting the methodology behind the action.

Die Datenübertragung erfolgt mittels Glasfaserkabel.

Translation: Data transmission occurs by means of fiber optic cables.

Historically, mittels is related to the noun das Mittel (the means/remedy). Its evolution into a preposition allowed German writers to condense complex 'with the use of' phrases into a single, punchy word. In technical documentation, this brevity is highly valued. It allows for a clinical, objective tone that is essential in scientific discourse.

Synonym Comparison: Compared to per (often used for communication like 'per Post'), mittels is broader and more mechanical. Compared to via (often used for routes or digital paths), mittels emphasizes the functional utility of the object. It is the 'workhorse' preposition of the formal German toolset.

Man kann die Software mittels eines Updates aktualisieren.

Using mittels correctly requires a firm grasp of the German case system, specifically the genitive. Because it is a preposition, it establishes a relationship between the action of the verb and the noun that follows. The primary rule is that the following noun phrase must be in the genitive case. For example, 'mittels des Computers' (by means of the computer). Here, 'des' is the genitive article for the masculine noun 'Computer'.

The Genitive Rule: For masculine and neuter nouns, add an -s or -es to the noun itself. For example: mittels eines Verfahrens (by means of a process). For feminine nouns, change the article to 'der': mittels der Fernbedienung (by means of the remote control).
The Dative Exception: When the plural form of a noun does not show the genitive case clearly (because there is no article or adjective), the dative is often used. Example: mittels Beweisen (by means of evidence/proofs) instead of the strictly genitive mittels Beweise, though the latter is also seen in high literature.

Die Identität wurde mittels eines DNA-Tests festgestellt.

The identity was established by means of a DNA test.

One of the most common ways to use mittels is in the passive voice. Since mittels describes a method, it naturally fits sentences where the focus is on what happened to an object rather than who did it. 'Die Nachricht wurde mittels Verschlüsselung geschützt' (The message was protected by means of encryption). This structure is ubiquitous in technical documentation and scientific reporting where the 'actor' is often irrelevant compared to the 'method.'

Er befestigte das Schild mittels zweier Schrauben.

He attached the sign by means of two screws.

Notice in the example above, 'zweier Schrauben' is clearly genitive plural. This demonstrates the precision that mittels demands. In less formal German, one would simply say 'mit zwei Schrauben.' The choice of mittels signals to the reader that this is a factual, perhaps even professional, observation. It is also important to note that mittels is rarely used with people. You wouldn't say 'mittels meines Bruders' if your brother helped you; you would use 'durch' or 'mit Hilfe meines Bruders.' Mittels is reserved for inanimate objects, methods, and abstract processes.

If you are walking down the street in Berlin or Munich, you are unlikely to hear someone say mittels in a casual conversation. However, the moment you open a newspaper like the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, read a legal contract, or look at the instruction manual for a new dishwasher, mittels will appear frequently. It is a staple of 'Amtssprache' (officialese) and 'Fachsprache' (technical language).

Technical Manuals: Engineers love mittels. It describes the physical interaction between components with clinical accuracy. 'Die Verbindung wird mittels eines Steckers hergestellt' (The connection is established by means of a plug). It removes the ambiguity that 'mit' might introduce.
Legal and Bureaucratic Contexts: In the world of law, how something was done is often as important as what was done. A crime might be committed 'mittels Drohung' (by means of a threat) or 'mittels Gewalt' (by means of force). Here, the word provides a legal definition of the method used.

Zahlungen können mittels Kreditkarte oder Überweisung erfolgen.

Payments can be made by means of credit card or bank transfer.

In the digital age, mittels has found a new home in software documentation and user interfaces. When a website tells you that you can log in 'mittels Ihres Google-Kontos' (by means of your Google account), it is using the formal tone to establish trust and professional clarity. It sounds more 'official' than the simple 'mit.' You will also see it in news reports concerning police investigations: 'Der Täter wurde mittels Überwachungskameras identifiziert' (The perpetrator was identified by means of surveillance cameras).

Die Temperatur wird mittels eines Sensors überwacht.

In summary, mittels is the hallmark of written precision. While it might feel stiff in a conversation with friends, it is an essential tool for navigating the professional and academic landscape of the German-speaking world. Understanding it allows you to decipher complex instructions and produce high-quality formal texts yourself.

The most frequent mistake learners make with mittels involves the case system. Because the genitive is increasingly rare in spoken German, many learners default to the dative out of habit. While 'mittels dem Hammer' might be understood, it is grammatically incorrect in a formal context where mittels is expected to be used. The correct form is 'mittels des Hammers.'

The 'Person' Mistake: Another common error is using mittels to describe human assistance. You should not say 'Ich habe das Projekt mittels meines Kollegen abgeschlossen.' This sounds like your colleague was a literal tool, like a screwdriver. Instead, use mithilfe meines Kollegen or durch meinen Kollegen. Mittels is strictly for instruments, methods, or inanimate processes.
Overuse in Casual Speech: Using mittels while chatting with a friend about how you fixed your bike can sound pretentious or 'wooden.' In such cases, mit is much more natural. Reserve mittels for situations where you want to sound professional, technical, or authoritative.

Incorrect:
Er kam mittels dem Bus. (Too formal and wrong case)
Correct:
Er kam mit dem Bus.

There is also a subtle confusion between mittels and durch. While both can mean 'by,' durch often implies a cause or a medium (e.g., 'durch den Wald gehen' or 'durch einen Zufall'). Mittels is much more focused on the specific tool or procedure. If you are describing a technical 'how-to,' mittels is the safer bet for precision.

Incorrect Case:
Die Probe wurde mittels die Maschine analysiert.
Correct Case:
Die Probe wurde mittels der Maschine analysiert.

Finally, remember that mittels usually stands before the noun without an article if the noun is abstract or used in a general sense. For example, 'mittels Gewalt' (by means of force). In these instances, because there is no article, the case is not visible, which simplifies things but requires you to know that the genitive is still the underlying structure.

German is rich with prepositions that describe how something is done. Choosing between mittels and its synonyms depends entirely on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. Let's look at the primary alternatives and how they differ from our target word.

Mit (With): The most common alternative. It is versatile and used in everyday speech. While mittels is clinical, mit is personal and direct. Use mit for eating with a fork, but mittels for analyzing data with an algorithm.
Mithilfe von (With the help of): This is very close to mittels but sounds slightly less 'mechanical.' It is often used when an external factor or a person provides assistance. It takes the dative case (due to 'von'). Example: Mithilfe von Experten wurde der Plan erstellt.
Durch (Through/By): Focuses on the process or the cause. If the 'means' is an abstract process rather than a physical tool, durch is a strong competitor. Example: Durch Fleiß hat er es geschafft. (He did it through hard work).

Vergleich:
Mit dem Schlüssel (Casual)
Mittels eines Schlüssels (Technical/Formal)
Per Schlüssel (Often used for access methods)

Another interesting alternative is vermittels, which is an even more archaic or elevated version of mittels. You will almost never see it today outside of 19th-century literature or very old legal texts. For modern learners, sticking to mittels for formal writing and mit for speaking is the best strategy.

Die Kommunikation erfolgt via Satellit. (Modern alternative for signal paths)

In summary, mittels is the 'technical instrument' preposition. It sits between the common 'mit' and the causal 'durch,' providing a specific focus on the methodology and instrumentation of an action in the most formal register possible.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Even though 'mittels' is very formal today, its root 'mit' is one of the oldest and most common words in the German language, dating back to Old High German 'mit'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈmɪtəls/

US /ˈmɪdəls/

The stress is on the first syllable: MIT-tels.

Rhymes With

Kittels (of the smock) Schüttels (shake it - informal) Viertels (of the quarter) Drittels (of the third) Sattels (of the saddle) Zettels (of the note) Rüttels (of the shake) Büttels (of the beadle)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'i' too long (like 'meet-tels'). It must be short.
Forgetting the 's' at the end.
Pronouncing the 'e' too clearly. It should be a very short, neutral sound.
Treating it as two words 'mit tels'. It is one word.
Confusing it with the English word 'metals'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Easy to understand contextually but appears in difficult texts.

Writing 8/5

Requires perfect command of the genitive case.

Speaking 9/5

Hard to use naturally without sounding overly formal.

Listening 5/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

mit durch das Mittel der Genitiv mithilfe

Learn Next

vermittels kraft zufolge angesichts zwecks

Advanced

Instrumentalität Verfahrensweise Methodik Apparatur Handhabung

Grammar to Know

Genitive Case

mittels eines Schlüssels

Dative in Plural

mittels Beweisen (when genitive is unclear)

Passive Voice

Der Test wurde mittels Laser durchgeführt.

Prepositional Phrases

Mittels Technik erreichen wir mehr.

Noun-Verb Collocations

Die Identifikation erfolgt mittels...

Examples by Level

Ich schreibe mit einem Stift.

I write with a pen.

A1 uses 'mit' + Dative.

Er fährt mit dem Bus.

He goes by bus.

A1 uses 'mit' for transport.

Wir essen mit dem Löffel.

We eat with the spoon.

A1 uses 'mit' for tools.

Sie telefoniert mit dem Handy.

She is talking on the phone.

A1 uses 'mit' for devices.

Zahlung mit Karte bitte.

Payment by card please.

Common short phrase.

Ich lerne mit der App.

I learn with the app.

'mit' + Dative feminine.

Kommst du mit mir?

Are you coming with me?

'mit' with personal pronouns.

Das ist mit Zucker.

That is with sugar.

Simple 'mit' for ingredients.

Zahlung mittels Kreditkarte ist möglich.

Payment by means of credit card is possible.

Formal 'mittels' in a sign.

Man öffnet die Tür mittels eines Knopfes.

One opens the door by means of a button.

'mittels' + Genitive masculine.

Er findet den Weg mittels GPS.

He finds the way by means of GPS.

'mittels' used with technology.

Die Nachricht kam mittels E-Mail.

The message came via e-mail.

Formal alternative to 'per'.

Das Licht geht mittels Sensor an.

The light turns on by means of a sensor.

Common in household technology.

Reinigen Sie das Gerät mittels eines Tuchs.

Clean the device by means of a cloth.

Instruction manual style.

Identifikation mittels Ausweis.

Identification by means of ID.

Bureaucratic style.

Der Test erfolgt mittels Speichelprobe.

The test is done by means of a saliva sample.

Medical context.

Die Daten wurden mittels eines USB-Sticks übertragen.

The data was transferred by means of a USB stick.

Passive voice + mittels.

Wir konnten das Problem mittels einer neuen Software lösen.

We were able to solve the problem by means of new software.

Formal problem solving.

Die Verbindung wird mittels Bluetooth hergestellt.

The connection is established by means of Bluetooth.

Technical instruction.

Man kann die Temperatur mittels eines Reglers einstellen.

One can adjust the temperature by means of a dial.

Genitive masculine 'eines Reglers'.

Die Ware wurde mittels Luftfracht geliefert.

The goods were delivered by means of air freight.

Logistics context.

Er sicherte die Tür mittels eines schweren Riegels.

He secured the door by means of a heavy bolt.

Descriptive formal German.

Die Messung erfolgt mittels Lasertechnologie.

The measurement is carried out by means of laser technology.

Scientific context.

Zutritt nur mittels gültiger Chipkarte.

Access only by means of a valid chip card.

Official notice.

Die Identität des Täters wurde mittels eines Fingerabdrucks geklärt.

The identity of the perpetrator was clarified by means of a fingerprint.

Forensic terminology.

Die Forscher analysierten die Proben mittels eines Mikroskops.

The researchers analyzed the samples by means of a microscope.

Standard academic reporting.

Der Motor wird mittels einer Fernbedienung gestartet.

The engine is started by means of a remote control.

Genitive feminine 'einer Fernbedienung'.

Informationen werden mittels verschlüsselter Kanäle gesendet.

Information is sent by means of encrypted channels.

Genitive plural 'verschlüsselter Kanäle'.

Die Heilung erfolgte mittels einer speziellen Therapie.

The healing occurred by means of a special therapy.

Medical reporting.

Man kann den Text mittels der Suchfunktion finden.

One can find the text by means of the search function.

Digital navigation.

Die Brücke wurde mittels Stahlseilen stabilisiert.

The bridge was stabilized by means of steel cables.

Engineering context.

Der Antrag kann mittels eines Online-Formulars eingereicht werden.

The application can be submitted by means of an online form.

Administrative procedure.

Die Extraktion des Wirkstoffs erfolgt mittels Destillation.

The extraction of the active ingredient occurs by means of distillation.

High-level scientific German.

Die Authentifizierung wird mittels biometrischer Daten durchgeführt.

Authentication is carried out by means of biometric data.

C1 technical vocabulary.

Er verschaffte sich mittels falscher Tatsachen einen Vorteil.

He gained an advantage by means of false facts.

Legal/abstract usage.

Die Struktur wurde mittels computergestützter Modelle simuliert.

The structure was simulated by means of computer-aided models.

Academic research terminology.

Die Verankerung im Boden wird mittels massiver Pfeiler erreicht.

The anchoring in the ground is achieved by means of massive pillars.

Technical description.

Der Nachweis wurde mittels einer aufwendigen Versuchsreihe erbracht.

The proof was provided by means of an elaborate series of experiments.

Formal scientific proof.

Die Kommunikation zwischen den Modulen erfolgt mittels einer API.

Communication between the modules occurs by means of an API.

Software engineering register.

Er versuchte, die Entscheidung mittels politischen Drucks zu beeinflussen.

He tried to influence the decision by means of political pressure.

Abstract political context.

Die Synthese organischer Verbindungen mittels neuartiger Katalysatoren wurde prämiert.

The synthesis of organic compounds by means of novel catalysts was awarded.

Highest academic register.

Die Erkenntnisgewinnung erfolgt hierbei mittels deduktiver Logik.

The gain of knowledge occurs here by means of deductive logic.

Philosophical/Epistemological context.

Die Klägerin begehrt die Feststellung der Nichtigkeit mittels einer Feststellungsklage.

The plaintiff seeks a declaration of nullity by means of a declaratory action.

Pure legal German (Juristendeutsch).

Die Probenvorbereitung wurde mittels Ultrazentrifugation optimiert.

Sample preparation was optimized by means of ultracentrifugation.

Specialized laboratory terminology.

Die Steuerung der Volkswirtschaft mittels monetärer Eingriffe ist umstritten.

The control of the national economy by means of monetary interventions is controversial.

Economic theory register.

Der Dichter drückt seine Melancholie mittels komplexer Metaphorik aus.

The poet expresses his melancholy by means of complex imagery.

Literary analysis.

Die Bestimmung der Sternmasse erfolgt mittels spektroskopischer Analysen.

The determination of stellar mass occurs by means of spectroscopic analyses.

Astrophysics context.

Die Legitimation der Herrschaft wurde mittels religiöser Mythen untermauert.

The legitimacy of the rule was bolstered by means of religious myths.

Historical/Sociological analysis.

Common Collocations

mittels eines Verfahrens

mittels Kreditkarte

mittels Software

mittels Gewalt

mittels Fernbedienung

mittels eines Sensors

mittels DNA-Analyse

mittels eines Updates

mittels Luftpost

mittels Druckluft

Common Phrases

Identifikation mittels...

— A standard phrase in security or IT for how someone is identified.

Identifikation mittels Fingerabdruck.

Zahlung mittels...

— Standard way to list payment methods in shops or contracts.

Zahlung mittels Lastschrift.

Steuerung mittels...

— Describes how a machine or system is controlled.

Steuerung mittels Joystick.

Reinigung mittels...

— Instruction for how to clean a specific object.

Reinigung mittels Dampfstrahler.

Übertragung mittels...

— Used for data or energy transmission.

Übertragung mittels Funkwellen.

Befestigung mittels...

— Common in construction or assembly instructions.

Befestigung mittels Klebestreifen.

Analyse mittels...

— Used in scientific research to describe methodology.

Analyse mittels Spektroskopie.

Messung mittels...

— Standard phrase for technical measurements.

Messung mittels Ultraschall.

Verbindung mittels...

— Describes how two things are joined.

Verbindung mittels Schweißen.

Kühlung mittels...

— Describes the cooling method of a system.

Kühlung mittels flüssigem Stickstoff.

Often Confused With

mittels vs mit

'mit' is for general use; 'mittels' is for specific formal/technical instruments.

mittels vs durch

'durch' often implies a medium or cause; 'mittels' specifically focuses on the tool or method.

mittels vs per

'per' is mostly for communication or transport; 'mittels' is broader for any technical means.

Idioms & Expressions

"mittels und Wege finden"

— A slight variation of the common idiom 'Mittel und Wege finden' (to find ways and means), though 'mittels' here is technically used as the noun 'Mittel'.

Wir müssen Mittel und Wege finden, um das Projekt zu retten.

Neutral

"mittels Gewalt"

— Specifically used in legal contexts to describe the use of force.

Der Einbruch geschah mittels Gewalt.

Legal

"mittels List"

— By using a trick or cunning strategy.

Er erreichte sein Ziel mittels List.

Literary

"mittels Dekret"

— By means of an official order, often used in political discussions.

Das Gesetz wurde mittels Dekret verabschiedet.

Political

"mittels Augenschein"

— By visual inspection; looking at something to judge it.

Die Prüfung erfolgte mittels Augenschein.

Formal

"mittels Handschlag"

— By a handshake (sealing a deal formally).

Der Vertrag wurde mittels Handschlag besiegelt.

Traditional

"mittels Losverfahren"

— By drawing lots; a random selection process.

Die Plätze wurden mittels Losverfahren vergeben.

Administrative

"mittels Druck"

— By applying pressure (physical or psychological).

Er wurde mittels psychologischen Drucks zur Aussage bewegt.

Formal

"mittels Federstrich"

— With a stroke of the pen (usually implying a quick, official decision).

Das Schicksal vieler wurde mittels eines Federstrichs besiegelt.

Literary

"mittels Stimmzettel"

— By means of a ballot paper.

Die Wahl erfolgt mittels Stimmzettel.

Political

Easily Confused

mittels vs Mittel

It is the noun form.

'Mittel' is a noun (the means); 'mittels' is a preposition (by means of).

Wir haben die Mittel, um das Ziel mittels Technik zu erreichen.

mittels vs mittlere

Similar root.

'mittlere' is an adjective meaning 'middle' or 'average'.

Die mittlere Temperatur wird mittels eines Thermometers gemessen.

mittels vs vermitteln

Similar root.

A verb meaning to mediate or convey.

Er vermittelte das Wissen mittels eines Vortrags.

mittels vs mithilfe

Synonymous meaning.

'mithilfe' is followed by 'von' + dative, whereas 'mittels' takes genitive.

Mithilfe von Werkzeugen (Dative) vs. Mittels Werkzeugen (Genitive/Dative plural).

mittels vs via

Both mean 'by means of' in some contexts.

'via' is usually for routes or digital paths; 'mittels' is for tools and procedures.

Ich schicke es via Internet mittels einer verschlüsselten Datei.

Sentence Patterns

Zahlung mittels [Noun].

Zahlung mittels Kreditkarte.

Man kann [Object] mittels [Genitive Noun] [Verb].

Man kann die Tür mittels eines Codes öffnen.

Die [Noun] erfolgt mittels [Genitive Noun].

Die Messung erfolgt mittels eines Sensors.

[Object] wurde mittels [Genitive Adjective] [Genitive Noun] [Past Participle].

Das Problem wurde mittels innovativer Methoden gelöst.

Mittels [Genitive Noun] lässt sich [Verb].

Mittels dieser Software lässt sich viel Zeit sparen.

Die Analyse mittels [Genitive Plural Nouns] ergab...

Die Analyse mittels verschiedener Verfahren ergab kein Resultat.

Etwas mittels [Genitive Noun] untermauern.

Er untermauerte seine These mittels zahlreicher Beispiele.

Sich mittels [Genitive Noun] Gehör verschaffen.

Er verschaffte sich mittels eines Megafons Gehör.

Word Family

Nouns

das Mittel (the means)

die Mittelslosigkeit (lack of means)

das Hilfsmittel (tool/aid)

das Arzneimittel (medicine)

Verbs

mitteln (to average/mediate)

vermitteln (to mediate/convey)

Adjectives

mittelbar (indirect)

mittelslos (without means)

mittlere (middle)

Mittelpunkt

Mittelklasse

Mittelwert

Mittelalter

Lebensmittel

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written technical/legal German; rare in spoken German.

Common Mistakes

mittels dem Hammer → mittels des Hammers
The preposition 'mittels' requires the genitive case, not the dative case.
mittels meines Bruders → mithilfe meines Bruders
'Mittels' should not be used for people. It sounds like the person is an inanimate tool.
mittels die Maschine → mittels der Maschine
Feminine nouns in the genitive case use the article 'der', not 'die'.
Using 'mittels' in a casual chat. → Using 'mit'.
'Mittels' is too formal for daily conversation and sounds unnatural.
mittels eines Computer → mittels eines Computers
Masculine nouns in the genitive must have an -s or -es ending.

Tips

Check the Case

Always remember that 'mittels' triggers the genitive case. For masculine and neuter nouns, don't forget the -s or -es ending on the noun itself.

Know Your Audience

Only use 'mittels' in professional or academic settings. Using it with friends will make you sound like an instruction manual.

Technical Focus

Use 'mittels' when the 'means' is a tool, a machine, or a specific technical process. It adds precision to your descriptions.

Avoid Repetition

If you find yourself using 'mit' too often in a report, swap some instances with 'mittels' or 'mithilfe von' to vary your language.

Mittels vs. Durch

Use 'mittels' for the specific tool and 'durch' for the overall cause or the path taken.

Official Documents

Expect to see 'mittels' in contracts and laws. It clearly defines the method used in legal actions.

Software Descriptions

In IT, use 'mittels' to describe how a user interacts with a feature, e.g., 'Authentifizierung mittels Passwort'.

Thesis Writing

In your 'Methodology' section, 'mittels' is an excellent word to describe your research instruments.

Dative Plural

Remember that if the genitive plural isn't clear, the dative plural (ending in -n) is your safety net.

The 'Middle' Man

Think of 'mittels' as the 'middle' step between you and what you want to achieve.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'mittels' as 'Middle-S'. It is the 'middle' thing (the tool) that 'S'tands between you and the result.

Visual Association

Imagine a bridge labeled 'MITTELS' connecting a person to a finished product. The bridge is the 'means' by which they get there.

Word Web

Werkzeug Instrument Methode Technik Prozess Apparat Medium System

Challenge

Write three sentences about how you fixed something today using 'mittels'. Ensure you use the genitive case for each tool you mention.

Word Origin

The word 'mittels' is derived from the German noun 'Mittel' (means, instrument). It entered the language as a preposition in the 17th and 18th centuries, evolving from genitive constructions like 'mittels des...'.

Original meaning: Originally, it referred to being 'in the middle' of a process or acting as a 'mediator' or 'instrument' between the actor and the result.

Germanic (Indo-European). It shares roots with the English word 'middle'.

Cultural Context

Avoid using 'mittels' with people, as it can sound dehumanizing, treating them like objects or tools.

English speakers often struggle with 'mittels' because 'by means of' sounds very stiff in English, but 'mittels' is quite standard in German technical writing.

Immanuel Kant used 'mittels' in his philosophical works to describe the mediation of thought. Technical patents in Germany almost always use 'mittels' to describe the 'how' of an invention. Legal codes like the BGB (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) use it to define criminal or civil methods.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Science

Analyse mittels...
Messung mittels...
Nachweis mittels...
Extraktion mittels...

Technology

Steuerung mittels...
Übertragung mittels...
Kühlung mittels...
Verbindung mittels...

Finance

Zahlung mittels...
Überweisung mittels...
Abbuchung mittels...
Kreditierung mittels...

Law

Begehung mittels...
Drohung mittels...
Täuschung mittels...
Zwang mittels...

Construction

Befestigung mittels...
Stabilisierung mittels...
Verankerung mittels...
Montage mittels...

Conversation Starters

"Können wir dieses Problem mittels einer neuen Strategie lösen?"

"Haben Sie die Daten mittels des neuen Systems bereits analysiert?"

"Wurde die Tür mittels eines digitalen Schlosses gesichert?"

"Wie erfolgt die Kommunikation mittels dieser neuen App?"

"Kann man die Temperatur mittels einer App auf dem Handy steuern?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreiben Sie ein technisches Gerät, das Sie täglich nutzen, mittels fachsprachlicher Begriffe.

Wie könnte man den Klimawandel mittels moderner Technologien bekämpfen?

Reflektieren Sie über eine Situation, in der Sie ein Ziel mittels List oder Klugheit erreicht haben.

Beschreiben Sie den Prozess Ihrer Arbeit mittels präziser Präpositionen.

Wie hat sich die Kommunikation mittels des Internets in den letzten Jahren verändert?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually, yes. However, in the plural, if the genitive is not clearly marked (no article or adjective), the dative is often used to avoid confusion. For example, 'mittels Beweisen' instead of 'mittels Beweise'.

No, that sounds very strange. Use 'mithilfe meiner Freunde' or 'durch meine Freunde'. 'Mittels' is reserved for inanimate objects, tools, and technical methods.

No, it is quite formal. In a normal conversation, you would almost always use 'mit' or 'durch'. You will see 'mittels' mostly in writing.

'Per' is specifically used for methods of sending things (per Post, per E-Mail) or transport. 'Mittels' is more general for any technical instrument (mittels eines Bohrers).

Yes, 'vermittels' is just an older, even more formal version. It is rarely used in modern German except in very high-level literature.

You say 'mittels eines Computers'. Note the genitive 'eines' and the 's' on 'Computers'.

Yes! For example: 'Mittels moderner Technik können wir heute viel erreichen.' Just remember the verb must come second.

Yes, it is very common in passive sentences where the method is the focus, such as 'Die Probe wurde mittels Hitze getrocknet'.

In German, abstract nouns used with prepositions often drop the article. The genitive is still implied, but not visible.

It might be a bit too formal for B1. 'Mithilfe von' is usually a better choice for that level. Save 'mittels' for B2 and C1.