noun
shortage
B1
Mangel: masculine noun meaning shortage or lack. Commonly used with the preposition: Mangel an etwas (a lack of something), e.g. Mangel an Zeit. Plural is Mängel (note the Umlaut). Genitive singular: des Mangels. Used for shortages, defects or deficiencies.
Examples
Es gibt einen Mangel an Papier im Büro.
There's a shortage of paper in the office.
Wegen eines Mangels an Ersatzteilen konnte die Maschine nicht starten, obwohl die Techniker schnell arbeiteten.
Because of a shortage of spare parts, the machine could not start even though the technicians worked quickly.
Ein Mangel an Vitaminen kann zu gesundheitlichen Problemen führen.
A lack of vitamins can lead to health problems.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture empty shelves with a big sign 'Mangel' (shortage).
Sounds like 'mangle' in English — imagine something being mangled when it's in short supply.
Masculine (der): remember 'der Mangel' — think of a male manager announcing a shortage.
Notes
Often used in the phrase 'Mangel an + Dativ' (e.g., 'Mangel an Wasser'). Can mean 'defect' in other contexts (ein Mangel an Qualität).