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tendenziell
generally
Expresses a general direction, tendency, or development; by and large or probably.
example
Im Herbst ist das Wetter tendenziell eher kühl und regnerisch.
In autumn, the weather is generally rather cool and rainy.
tendenziell
generally / tendentially
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The adverb 'tendenziell' (generally / tendentially) belongs to the noun 'die Tendenz' (the tendency). It describes that something follows a certain tendency or trend.
EXAMPLE
Es gibt eine Tendenz zu kleineren Haushalten.
There is a tendency toward smaller households.
Sentence position
As an adverb, 'tendenziell' (generally) usually appears in the middle of the sentence, often directly before the adjective or the part of the sentence it describes more closely.
EXAMPLE
Die Preise für Immobilien sind tendenziell hoch.
Real estate prices are generally high.
Typical collocations
'Tendenziell' (generally) is often used to soften comparisons or developments. Common combinations are 'tendenziell eher' (generally rather), 'tendenziell besser/schlechter' (generally better/worse), or with verbs like 'steigen' (to rise) and 'sinken' (to fall).
EXAMPLE
Die Situation auf dem Arbeitsmarkt wird tendenziell besser.
The situation on the job market is generally getting better.
Compare with
tendenziell vs eher
rather / earlier
'eher' and 'tendenziell' can both express that something is more likely or tends in a particular direction. However, 'eher' sounds more everyday and works well when choosing between options or carefully giving an assessment. 'tendenziell' describes more of a general tendency or development, often across several cases or a group. In everyday speech, people often say 'Ich nehme eher den Bus' (I’ll rather take the bus). 'tendenziell' sounds somewhat more objective, for example in observations or comparisons.
tendenziell
Er ist am Abend tendenziell ruhiger als am Morgen.
He is generally calmer in the evening than in the morning.
eher
Zur Sicherheit bin ich eher nach Hause gegangen, weil es schon dunkel war.
To be safe, I went home instead because it was already dark.
In real life
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