wie
how · like · as
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Definition & meaning
The German word wie is a versatile particle used primarily in the following contexts:
- Interrogative adverb: Used to ask about the manner, method, or state of something. In English, it translates to "how". For example: "Wie geht es dir?" (How are you?).
- Comparative conjunction: Used to draw comparisons between two things or people. In English, it translates to "as" or "like". For example: "Er ist so groß wie sein Vater." (He is as tall as his father).
- Modal particle: Used to express surprise, intensity, or to introduce an exclamation. For example: "Wie schön ist das denn!" (How beautiful that is!).
- Temporal conjunction (dialectal/colloquial): In some regional dialects, it can function similarly to "als" (when) to refer to a specific point in time, though this is grammatically non-standard in High German.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It functions as an adverb, a conjunction, or a particle. It is indeclinable.
- Word origin: It derives from the Old High German wio, which traces back to the Proto-Germanic hwo. It shares the same etymological roots as the English word "how".
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- auf welche Weise [?](vocabuo://word/auf welche Weise) (in which way)
- so wie [?](vocabuo://word/so wie) (just as/like)
- als (used in certain comparative structures, e.g., "anders als")
Antonyms:
- Direct antonyms for a functional word like "wie" are difficult to define, as it depends on the context. In a comparative sense, one might contrast it with anders als [?](vocabuo://word/anders als) (different from) when comparing equality versus inequality.
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Examples
Wie geht es dir?adverb
How are you?
Ich mag es, wie du denkst.conjunction
I like how you think.
Sie sieht aus wie ihre Mutter.conjunction
She looks like her mother.
Ich mag es, wie du aussiehst.conjunction
I like how you look.
Wie geht es dir heute?adverb
How are you today?
Wie sehr freust du dich?adverb
How much are you looking forward to it?
Wie war dein Tag?adverb
How was your day?
Kannst du mir zeigen, wie man das macht?conjunction
Can you show me how to do that?
Der Kaffee schmeckt wie Tee.conjunction
The coffee tastes like tea.
Sie singt wie ein Vogel.conjunction
She sings like a bird.
Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?adverb
How do I get to the train station?
Meine Schwester kocht, wie meine Mutter es macht.Word type unavailable
My sister cooks as my mother does it.
Er singt wie ein Vogel am Morgen.Word type unavailable
He sings like a bird in the morning.
Wie schnell läuft er heute?Word type unavailable
How fast is he running today?
Er arbeitet wie ein Lehrer.Word type unavailable
He works like a teacher.
Ich weiß nicht, wie spät es ist.Word type unavailable
I don't know how late it is.
Sie singt, wie ihre Mutter immer gesungen hat.Word type unavailable
She sings as her mother always sang.
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