ebenso wenig
Ich mag Kaffee, aber ich trinke ebenso wenig Tee.
I like coffee, but I drink just as little tea.
used to indicate that something is equal in quantity or degree to something else, typically in a negative context
Er hat wenig Geld, und sie hat ebenso wenig.
He has little money, and she has just as little.
Ich verstehe das Problem nicht, und mein Bruder versteht es ebenso wenig.
I don't understand the problem, and neither does my brother.
The phrase is often used in comparisons to emphasize equality in scarcity, lack, or degree. It can also be used in negative constructions to mean 'no more than'.
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Pro Tip
Avoid literal translation
Do not translate 'ebenso wenig' word-for-word as 'equally little' in all contexts. In comparisons, 'just as little' or 'no more than' often sounds more natural in English.
Gold Rule
Use in negative comparisons
This phrase is primarily used to compare two things that are both lacking or scarce. It is not typically used for positive quantities.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'ebenso' (just as, equally) from Middle High German 'ebenso' (equally so) and 'wenig' (little, few) from Old High German 'wenig' (small, few). The construction has been used in German since at least the 18th century to draw comparisons.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in both spoken and written German to emphasize equality in a negative context. It is often paired with 'wie' to introduce a comparison (e.g., 'ebenso wenig wie...'). Avoid overusing it in formal writing where 'equally little' might sound more natural in English.