German word

teils

Pronunciation

IPA/taɪ̯ls/

Meaning

  • adverbpartly

Example

Das ist teils wahr.

That is partly true.

Illustration for teils (partly)

More examples

Die Ursachen sind teils wirtschaftlich, teils politisch.

The causes are partly economic and partly political.

Core concept

A whole where only some parts are included, while the rest is left out.

Common phrases

  • teils wahr

    partly true

  • teils falsch

    partly false

Similar words

teilweise: Shows that only part of a whole has a given quality or condition.
zum Teil: Informally indicates that something is true or applies only in part.

Definition in German

Zum Teil, nicht vollständig.

Word origin

Teils comes from Teil, meaning 'part', with an old adverbial genitive ending that developed the sense 'partly'.

Usage tips

  • In the paired structure 'teils ..., teils ...', teils introduces one of two contrasting parts or causes.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word