-erweise

• -er Weise

-er- +‎ -weise

• IPA^(key): /ɐˌvaɪ̯zə/

-erweise

1. Used to form adverbs from adjectives; these adverbs are used to modify phrases or sentences. Cognate with English -wise.

   ‎normal (“normal”) + ‎-erweise → ‎normalerweise (“normally”)

   ‎traurig (“sad”) + ‎-erweise → ‎traurigerweise (“sadly”)

   ‎lustig (“funny”) + ‎-erweise → ‎lustigerweise (“funnily”)

   ‎gleich (“equal, alike”) + ‎-erweise → ‎gleicherweise (“likewise”)

• A normal German adverb, which modifies verbs, nouns, adjectives, or (other) adverbs, is identical to the basic form of the respective adjective. Only when an adverb refers to a whole phrase or sentence does it take the ending -erweise. The distinction may be semantic. Compare:

  • Er hat lustig gesungen. − “He sang funnily.” (He sang in a way that was funny.)
  • Er hat lustigerweise gesungen. − “Funnily, he sang.” (It was funny that he sang.)

• -weise