German Conversation · Level 127
44 words
German word
zuweilen
Pronunciation
IPA/tsuˈvaɪ̯lən/
Meaning
- adverbsometimes
Example
Abends lese ich zuweilen ein Buch.
In the evenings, I sometimes read a book.
More examples
In Gesprächen erwähne ich zuweilen persönliche Erlebnisse.
In conversations, I sometimes mention personal experiences.
Core concept
A recurring event visits now and then, like points appearing on a timeline without forming a regular sequence.
Common phrases
zuweilen notwendig
sometimes necessary
zuweilen überraschend
sometimes surprising
zuweilen hilfreich
sometimes helpful
Similar words
manchmal: An event or action happens repeatedly at a moderate frequency.
ab und zu: An event or action happens at irregular intervals, with pauses between occurrences.
hin und wieder: An event or action occurs occasionally and rather rarely.
gelegentlich: An event or action occurs sometimes at unpredictable intervals.
Definition in German
Ein Adverb, das ausdrückt, dass etwas gelegentlich oder von Zeit zu Zeit geschieht; nicht regelmäßig, sondern punktuell auftritt.
Word origin
The adverb developed from the older phrase zu wîlen, built from zu and wîle, an earlier form of Weile meaning a period of time.
Usage tips
- Zuweilen can introduce a sentence or stand in its middle, but its formal tone makes it less conversational than manchmal.