bisweilen
sometimes
manchmal, aber nicht oft; es passiert hin und wieder.
Definition & meaning
The German adverb "bisweilen" is used to describe an action or event that occurs occasionally or from time to time. It implies that something does not happen constantly but at irregular intervals.
- Occasional occurrence: It indicates that something happens now and then. For example, "Er liest bisweilen ein Buch" translates to "He reads a book from time to time."
- Time-related context: It suggests a sense of intermittent behavior or an event that is spaced out over a period of time.
Grammar & Word origin
"Bisweilen" is an adverb. It is a compound word derived from Middle High German:
- bis: Meaning "until" or "to."
- weilen: Derived from the noun "Weile," meaning "a while" or "a period of time."
Together, the word literally refers to the idea of "up to a certain while" or "at times." It is considered slightly formal or literary in modern German, often used in written texts or sophisticated speech.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- gelegentlich
- manchmal
- hin und wieder[?](vocabuo://word/hin und wieder)
- ab und zu[?](vocabuo://word/ab und zu)
- mitunter
Antonyms:
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Examples
Er kommt bisweilen zu spät zur Arbeit.adverb
He sometimes arrives late to work.
Bisweilen zeigt er große Geduld.adverb
Sometimes he shows great patience.
Bisweilen braucht es einfach mehr Zeit.adverb
Sometimes it just takes more time.
Bisweilen verstehe ich die Lösung nicht sofort.adverb
Sometimes I don't immediately understand the solution.
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