etliche
several
Dieses Wort beschreibt eine Anzahl von Dingen oder Personen, die mehr als wenige, aber nicht genau bestimmt sind.
Definition & meaning
The German word etliche is a quantifier used to describe an indefinite, but usually moderately large, number of things or people. It translates to English as "several," "a number of," or "quite a few."
It typically implies that the quantity is more than just a couple (not just two or three) but is not necessarily a large, overwhelming amount. It suggests a non-specific count that is nonetheless significant enough to be noteworthy.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- etliche is an indefinite numeral (indefinites Zahlwort).
- It is used as an adjective or pronoun and follows the declension rules of the definite article when used before a noun (e.g., etliche Bücher).
- It is primarily used in the plural.
Word origin:
- The word is derived from the Middle High German etelich, which is a combination of et (meaning "any" or "some") and lich (a suffix indicating similarity or type). It shares a historical root with the word etwas (something).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- einige (some/a few)
- mehrere (several/multiple)
- manche (some/many)
- eine Reihe von [?](vocabuo://word/eine Reihe von) (a series of/a number of)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Etliche Gäste sind bereits angekommen.determiner
Several guests have already arrived.
Etliche Leute kamen zu dem Konzert.determiner
Several people came to the concert.
Etliche Freunde haben an der Veranstaltung teilgenommen.determiner
Several friends participated in the event.
Nach dem Gewitter lagen etliche Zweige auf der Straße.determiner
After the thunderstorm, several branches lay on the street.
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