relatively / proportionate
Loading your saved state.
relatively
Used as an adverb to express that something is true relatively or comparatively in comparison with other things or with an expectation.
Für diese Jahreszeit ist es verhältnismäßig kalt.
For this time of year, it is relatively cold.
The word is made up of 'Verhältnis' (relationship/ratio) and the ending '-mäßig' (-wise/-based). It literally means 'according to a relationship/ratio' and always expresses a reference or comparison to a norm or to another thing.
Für die kurze Zeit, die er lernt, macht er verhältnismäßig große Fortschritte.
For the short amount of time he has been studying, he is making relatively great progress.
'Verhältnismäßig' (relatively/proportionate) can be used as an adverb (relatively, comparatively) or as an adjective (appropriate, proportional). As an adverb it is not declined, but as an adjective before a noun it is.
Der Test war verhältnismäßig einfach. (Adverb)
The test was relatively easy. (Adverb)
When 'verhältnismäßig' (relatively) is used as an adverb, it always implies a comparison with an expectation or a norm. It means 'more/less than expected' or 'compared with usual circumstances.'
Es ist heute verhältnismäßig warm für einen Tag im Februar.
It is relatively warm today for a day in February.
In the meaning of 'appropriate' or 'proportional,' 'verhältnismäßig' (proportionate) is an important term in legal and administrative language. It describes that a measure must stand in an appropriate relation to the goal.
Der Polizeieinsatz wurde später als nicht verhältnismäßig kritisiert.
The police operation was later criticized as not proportionate.
pretty / fairly
'ziemlich' and 'verhältnismäßig' can both come before an adjective and express a non-extreme degree. 'ziemlich' simply says that something applies quite strongly. 'verhältnismäßig' means more like: in relation to something else or to an expectation. It sounds somewhat more objective than 'ziemlich'. Learners may confuse the words because both can sometimes be translated similarly. If you only want to say that something is quite expensive, difficult, or cold, use 'ziemlich'. If you have a comparison in mind, 'verhältnismäßig' fits better.
Für diese Jahreszeit ist es heute verhältnismäßig warm.
For this time of year, it is relatively warm today.
Ist die neue Wohnung ziemlich klein, oder reicht der Platz für euch?
Is the new apartment pretty small, or is there enough space for you?