etlich
several
Indicates an indefinite but fairly large number of people or things; several, quite a few.
EXAMPLE
Bis das Projekt abgeschlossen war, vergingen noch etliche Monate.
Several more months passed before the project was completed.
etlich
several / quite a few
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Meanings
Usage tips
Use in the plural
The word 'etlich' (several / quite a few) is used exclusively in the plural because it describes an indefinite quantity of multiple things or people. It is declined like a normal adjective before the noun.
EXAMPLE
Es gibt etliche Gründe für diese Entscheidung.
There are several reasons for this decision.
Register and style
'Etlich' (several / quite a few) belongs more to written or more formal language. It is used less often in everyday conversation.
EXAMPLE
Der Autor hat zu diesem Thema etliche Bücher veröffentlicht.
The author has published several books on this topic.
Typical collocations
'Etlich' (several / quite a few) is often used in connection with units of time or repetitions. Typical combinations are 'etliche Jahre' (several years), 'etliche Wochen' (several weeks), or 'etliche Male' (several times).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe diesen Film schon etliche Male gesehen.
I have seen this film several times already.
Compare with
etlich vs einige
some / several
Einige and etlich both refer to an unspecified number. Einige is more suitable for a small or moderate amount, while etlich usually expresses a considerable, fairly large number; there is no fixed numerical boundary.
etlich
Für den Umzug brauchten wir zu unserer Überraschung etliche Kartons.
To our surprise, we needed quite a few boxes for the move.
einige
Für den Umzug brauchten wir nur einige Kartons.
We only needed a few boxes for the move.
In real life
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