en masse / in large quantities
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in large quantities
In a very large number or amount; occurring in masses. It emphasizes a large, often unmanageable quantity.
Nach dem Konzert lag massenweise Müll auf dem Festivalgelände.
After the concert, there was a huge amount of trash lying around the festival grounds.
The word is made up of 'Masse' (large quantity / mass) and the ending '-weise'. The ending '-weise' forms adverbs and means 'in the manner of'. So 'massenweise' literally means 'in the manner of a mass'.
Im Herbst fallen die Blätter massenweise von den Bäumen.
In autumn, leaves fall from the trees in large quantities.
An important point: 'massenweise' (in large quantities) is not declined, even when it comes directly before a noun. It always keeps the same form.
Wir haben massenweise Äpfel im Garten.
We have apples in large quantities in the garden.
'Massenweise' (in large quantities) is more colloquial and often has a slightly exaggerated effect. It emphasizes a very large, barely countable amount.
Nach der Party hatten wir massenweise Flaschen zu entsorgen.
After the party, we had tons of bottles to dispose of.
often / multiple
Vielfach says that something occurs often or in many cases. Massenweise, by contrast, highlights a very large, often barely manageable number. Vielfach fits numerous individual cases; when an unusually large quantity is involved, massenweise is stronger.
Der Fehler wurde nach dem Update massenweise gemeldet.
The error was reported in huge numbers after the update.
Der Fehler wurde nach dem Update vielfach gemeldet.
The error was reported many times after the update.
