German word

eher

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈeːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adverbrather

Example

Ich bleibe eher zu Hause.

I'd rather stay at home.

Illustration for eher (rather)

More examples

Wir sollten eher früher losfahren, um den Stau zu vermeiden.

We should preferably leave earlier to avoid the traffic jam.

Core concept

A scale tips toward one option or toward an earlier point in time.

Common phrases

  • eher als

    rather than

  • eher früher

    preferably earlier

  • eher nicht

    rather not

Similar words

wahrscheinlich: Indicates that an event is likely to happen.
vielleicht: Indicates uncertainty about whether an event will happen.
wohl: Indicates that something seems likely, without expressing certainty.
lieber: Indicates a preference for choosing one option over another.

Definition in German

Ein Adverb, das ausdrückt, dass etwas im Vergleich mehr zutrifft oder bevorzugt wird.

Word origin

Eher developed from Old High German ēr, meaning "before" or "sooner", and its temporal sense extended to comparison and preference.

Usage tips

  • In eher nicht, eher usually means "rather not" or "probably not", so the phrase softens a negative answer without making it absolute.

Other meanings

  • more likelyadverb
  • earlieradverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word