German word

mitunter

Pronunciation

IPA/mɪtˈʊntɐ/

Meaning

  • adverbsometimes

Example

Mitunter rufe ich meine Mutter an.

Sometimes I call my mother.

Illustration for mitunter (sometimes)

More examples

Bei technischen Problemen kann mitunter ein Fehler vorkommen.

With technical problems, an error can sometimes occur.

Core concept

A quiet stretch is interrupted by an event that appears now and then.

Common phrases

  • mitunter vorkommen

    sometimes occur

  • mitunter der Fall sein

    sometimes be the case

Similar words

manchmal: An event happens sometimes rather than continuously.
gelegentlich: An event occurs at occasional intervals, with time between instances.
hin und wieder: An event recurs every so often at uneven intervals.
ab und zu: An event occurs occasionally, with intervals between occurrences.

Definition in German

Gelegentlich, nicht regelmäßig auftretend.

Word origin

Mitunter is an old German adverb formed from mit and unter, whose earlier adverbial use developed into the modern meaning 'occasionally'.

Usage tips

  • Mitunter is somewhat more formal or literary than the common alternative manchmal, especially in careful written prose.

Opposites

Word lists with this word