German word

ziemlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsiːmlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbquite

Example

Das Essen ist ziemlich lecker.

The food is quite delicious.

Illustration for ziemlich (quite)

More examples

Ich habe ziemlich viel zu tun.

I have quite a lot to do.

Core concept

A volume knob turned up enough to be noticeable, but not to the loudest level.

Common phrases

  • ziemlich gut

    quite good

  • ziemlich viel

    quite a lot

  • ziemlich teuer

    quite expensive

Similar words

sehr: To an extremely strong degree.
ganz: Almost completely or fully.
recht: Quite strongly, often in a casual tone.
eher: Indicating a somewhat greater tendency toward the stated quality.

Definition in German

In merklichem, aber nicht übertriebenem Maße; verwendet, um eine deutliche, jedoch mäßige Intensität auszudrücken.

Word origin

Ziemlich is historically related to ziemen, 'to befit', through Middle High German zimelich, whose meaning later shifted toward a moderate degree.

Usage tips

  • Ziemlich differs from inflected ziemlicher: ziemlich schnell is an adverbial phrase, while ein ziemlicher Erfolg uses an adjective with an ending.

Other meanings

  • prettyadverb
  • ratheradverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word