respectively / or rather
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or rather
Connects two expressions or statements when the second expression explains, corrects, or replaces the first more precisely; depending on the context, it means “genauer gesagt” (more precisely) or “oder besser” (or rather).
Ich wohne in München, beziehungsweise in einem kleinen Vorort von München.
I live in Munich, or rather in a small suburb of Munich.
respectively
Expresses a corresponding assignment involving several people or things and then means “jeweils” (each) or “respektive” (respectively).
Die beiden Kinder sind fünf beziehungsweise sieben Jahre alt.
The two children are five and seven years old, respectively.
or / alternatively
Connects two possible alternatives and means “oder” (or) or “oder auch” (or alternatively).
Bitte schicken Sie die Unterlagen per E-Mail beziehungsweise per Post.
Please send the documents by email or by post.
In notes, tables, and forms, “beziehungsweise” (respectively / or rather) is often abbreviated as “bzw.” In fully written, easy-to-read text, the complete form is often clearer.
Bitte tragen Sie im Formular Ihre private beziehungsweise dienstliche Telefonnummer sowie Ihre private bzw. dienstliche E-Mail-Adresse ein.
On the form, please enter your private or work telephone number and your private or work email address.
When “beziehungsweise” (or rather) clarifies or corrects a statement, the second expression refers directly to the expression mentioned before. The second part can provide a more precise time, place, or factual detail.
Das Treffen findet am Wochenende, beziehungsweise am Sonntagvormittag, statt.
The meeting will take place at the weekend, or rather on Sunday morning.
When assigning values, the order is crucial: the first value belongs to the first person or thing, and the second value belongs to the second. The assignment can often be read as a pair structure.
Lea und Tom sind zwölf beziehungsweise vierzehn Jahre alt.
Lea and Tom are twelve and fourteen years old, respectively.
For two equally ranked possibilities, “beziehungsweise” (or / alternatively) usually appears directly between the two expressions. When it connects only individual words or phrases, there is normally no comma before it.
Sie können die Rechnung per Überweisung beziehungsweise per Karte bezahlen.
You can pay the bill by bank transfer or by card.
