German word

etliche

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɛtlɪçə/

Meaning

  • adjectiveseveral

Example

In dieser Stadt kenne ich etliche Leute.

I know several people in this city.

Illustration for etliche (several)

More examples

Ich wartete etliche Minuten, bis er zurückkam.

I waited several minutes until he came back.

Core concept

A noticeable group of people or things, larger than a mere handful but without a precise count.

Common phrases

  • etliche Minuten

    several minutes

  • etliche Monate

    several months

Similar words

einige: A few people or things without a specific number.
mehrere: Several people or things forming a loose group.
ein paar: Just a small number of people or things, often around two or three.

Definition in German

ein unbestimmtes Zahlwort für mehrere Personen oder Dinge; bedeutet 'einige' oder 'ziemlich viele'.

Word origin

Etliche continues Middle High German etelich and Old High German etelīh as an inherited Germanic indefinite numeral adjective.

Usage tips

  • Etliche often suggests quite a few, so it can sound more numerous than the neutral English word "several".

Opposites

  • wenigefewadjective

Word lists with this word