German word

sonst

Pronunciation

IPA/zɔnst/

Meaning

  • adverbotherwise

Example

Beeil dich, sonst verpassen wir den Zug.

Hurry up, or we'll miss the train.

Illustration for sonst (otherwise)

More examples

Hausaufgaben erledigt, und sonst?

I've finished my homework, and what else?

Core concept

A backup outcome waits beside the expected one when the first condition fails.

Common phrases

  • Und sonst?

    And what else?

  • Sonst noch etwas?

    Anything else?

Similar words

ansonsten: Briefly signals a different result if the preceding condition is not met.
andernfalls: States that a different result will follow if the required action is not taken.
im anderen Fall: Refers to what happens in the other case, when the stated condition does not hold.

Definition in German

Zeigt an, welches Ergebnis eintritt, wenn eine vorher genannte Handlung oder Bedingung nicht erfüllt wird.

Word origin

The German adverb sonst comes through Old and Middle High German forms from an inherited Germanic word for another or different circumstance.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English 'otherwise', sonst also appears in routine statements such as 'Sonst fahre ich mit dem Bus' to mean 'usually'.

Other meanings

  • besidesadverb
  • usuallyadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word