conjunction

sowohl … als auch

both ... and

Definition & meaning

The phrase "sowohl … als auch" is a correlative conjunction used to indicate that two things, qualities, or conditions are both true or applicable. It translates to "both … and" or "as well as" in English. It emphasizes the inclusion of two elements with equal importance.

Example: "Er spricht sowohl Deutsch als auch Englisch." (He speaks both German and English.)

Grammar & Word origin

Grammatically, "sowohl … als auch" is a coordinating conjunction that connects two equivalent parts of a sentence (nouns, adjectives, verbs, or clauses). It is a fixed construction that does not change its form.

Sowohl: Derived from "so" (so/thus) and "wohl" (well/indeed). Historically, it functioned as an adverbial phrase meaning "just as well."
Als: Used here as a comparative particle.
Auch: Meaning "also."

Together, the phrase acts as a doublet to reinforce the connection between two subjects or objects.