German word

viel

Pronunciation

IPA/fiːl/

Meaning

  • adverba lot

Example

Ich habe gestern viel gearbeitet.

I worked a lot yesterday.

Illustration for viel (a lot)

More examples

Am Wochenende hat sie viel getanzt.

At the weekend, she danced a lot.

Core concept

A large quantity gathered together without separate items being counted.

Common phrases

  • viel lernen

    learn a lot

  • viel arbeiten

    work a lot

  • viel sprechen

    speak a lot

Similar words

sehr: To a very high degree, intensifying an adjective or adverb.
mehr: Indicating an increase in amount or degree.
oft: On many occasions.
wenig: To a limited extent.

Definition in German

In großer Menge vorhanden sein; als Adverb das Ausmaß oder die Menge einer Sache oder Handlung angeben.

Word origin

The modern form viel developed from Old High German filu, an inherited Germanic word related to Dutch veel.

Usage tips

  • With a countable plural noun, viel usually becomes viele, as in viele Bücher, while viel Zeit remains uninflected.

Other meanings

  • muchadverb
  • a great dealadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word