comparatively
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comparatively
Expresses that something is judged in comparison with something else or in relation to an expected standard. It means roughly 'relatively' or 'by comparison'.
Für einen Anfänger spielt er vergleichsweise gut Klavier.
For a beginner, he plays the piano comparatively well.
The word is made up of 'Vergleich' (comparison), the linking -s, and the ending '-weise'. The ending '-weise' means 'in a certain way or manner'. So 'vergleichsweise' literally means 'in the manner of a comparison'.
Das Wetter ist heute vergleichsweise mild für Januar.
The weather today is comparatively mild for January.
As an adverb, 'vergleichsweise' can appear in different places in the sentence. It often stands in position 1, followed by the verb in position 2. But it can also stand inside the sentence directly before the adjective or adverb it describes.
Vergleichsweise wenige Menschen nahmen an der Veranstaltung teil.
Comparatively few people attended the event.
'Vergleichsweise' is almost always used to qualify an adjective or another adverb. Typical combinations are 'vergleichsweise gut' (comparatively good/well), 'vergleichsweise einfach' (comparatively easy), 'vergleichsweise günstig' (comparatively affordable), or 'vergleichsweise selten' (comparatively rare/rarely).
Für ein so altes Auto ist es in einem vergleichsweise guten Zustand.
For such an old car, it is in comparatively good condition.
relative / relatively
Relativ and vergleichsweise can both soften an evaluation. Vergleichsweise, however, explicitly highlights a comparison with other cases or with an expected standard. Relativ can also be based on a comparison, but it is often used simply to mean “quite” or “fairly.”
Unter den Wohnungen im Zentrum ist diese Wohnung vergleichsweise günstig.
Compared with the other apartments in the city center, this one is comparatively affordable.
Die Wohnung im Zentrum ist relativ günstig.
The apartment in the city center is relatively affordable.
