sonst
otherwise
Introduces a consequence that will occur if a condition is not met. It means 'andernfalls' (otherwise).
EXAMPLE
Du musst dich beeilen, sonst verpasst du den Bus.
You have to hurry, otherwise you'll miss the bus.
sonst
otherwise / else
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Meanings
sonst
otherwise / usually
Refers to other times or circumstances and means 'normalerweise' (normally) or 'üblicherweise' (usually).
EXAMPLE
Heute bin ich etwas müde, aber sonst geht es mir gut.
I'm a bit tired today, but otherwise I'm doing well.
sonst
else
Used in questions to ask about additional things or information. It means 'außerdem' (in addition) or 'weiterhin' (furthermore).
EXAMPLE
Möchten Sie sonst noch etwas bestellen?
Would you like to order anything else?
wer/was/wo sonst
who/what/where else
Used to emphasize that no other person, thing, or place is possible.
EXAMPLE
Wer sonst als du hätte das wissen können?
Who else but you could have known that?
Usage tips
Distinguishing meanings
You can recognize the meaning of 'sonst' from the sentence structure. At the beginning of a sentence with the verb in position 2, it means 'otherwise'. In a question, it means 'else' or 'in addition'. After a question word like 'wer' (who) or 'was' (what), it emphasizes that there is no other logical possibility.
EXAMPLE
Du musst jetzt lernen, sonst schaffst du die Prüfung nicht.
You have to study now, otherwise you won't pass the exam.
Word order
When 'sonst' introduces a consequence (otherwise), it often appears as an adverb in position 1 of the sentence. The conjugated verb then moves to position 2, directly after 'sonst'.
EXAMPLE
Zieh eine Jacke an, sonst erkältest du dich.
Put on a jacket, otherwise you'll catch a cold.
Position in the sentence
In the meaning of 'normally' or 'usually', 'sonst' often appears in the middle of the sentence to create a contrast between the normal state and a current, different situation.
EXAMPLE
Heute habe ich ein bisschen Kopfschmerzen, aber sonst bin ich fit.
Today I have a bit of a headache, but otherwise I'm fit.
Typical question
The question 'Sonst noch etwas?' (Anything else?) is a very common and polite phrase in service situations, for example in a restaurant or shop. It means 'Would you like to order or buy anything else?'.
EXAMPLE
Das macht dann 5,50 Euro. Darf es sonst noch etwas sein?
That comes to 5.50 euros. Would you like anything else?
Fixed expression
In combination with a question word like 'wer' (who), 'was' (what), or 'wo' (where), 'sonst' expresses that the answer to the question is obvious and that there is no other logical alternative.
EXAMPLE
Natürlich hat er das gewusst. Wer sonst hätte die Antwort kennen sollen?
Of course he knew that. Who else would have known the answer?
Compare with
sonst vs anders
different / differently
„Sonst“ in „wer sonst?“ asks about another possibility and often emphasizes that no one else is being considered. „Anders“, by contrast, describes a person or possibility as different. Use „sonst“ when highlighting the only obvious choice, and „anders“ when asking about a different choice.
sonst
Wer sonst könnte uns bei diesem Problem helfen?
Who else could help us with this problem?
anders
Wer anders könnte uns bei diesem Problem helfen?
Who could help us with this problem instead?
In real life
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