German word

soweit

Pronunciation

IPA/zoˈvaɪ̯t/

Meaning

  • adverbas far as ___

Example

Soweit ich weiß, ist das Treffen abgesagt.

As far as I know, the meeting has been called off.

Illustration for soweit (as far as ___)

More examples

Ich helfe, soweit nötig.

I help as far as necessary.

Core concept

A range reaches a marked limit, whether the limit concerns distance, progress, or information.

Common phrases

  • Soweit ich weiß

    as far as I know

  • Soweit möglich

    as far as possible

  • Soweit nötig

    as far as necessary

Similar words

soviel: Qualifies a statement by limiting it to the speaker's knowledge.
insofern: Shows that something holds within a stated condition or perspective.

Definition in German

soweit zeigt an, dass etwas bis zu einem bestimmten Grad oder Punkt gilt

Word origin

Soweit joins so and weit into one word, and its spatial idea of reaching that far also supports meanings involving extent, degree, and conditions.

Usage tips

  • Soweit can mean 'insofar as' before a clause, while so weit written separately more often means 'that far' in a literal or comparative sense.

Other meanings

  • so faradverb
  • this faradverb

Related words

Word lists with this word