When to use "viel" and"viele" in German

Jun 22

Learning a new language can be challenging, and it's common for students to struggle with distinguishing between similar words. If you're having trouble telling apart the German terms "viel" and "viele," don't worry! This article is here to help guide you through everything you need to know about this topic.

The problem with “viel” and “viele”

It's understandable to be confused between these two words due to their striking similarity. However, let's explore their dissimilarities and enhance your German language proficiency in no time!

Recommended study materials on the topic:

A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
B-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
Accusative or Dative wheel

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The Meaning of “viele”

Great news! The German word “viele” can be translated into English as “many”. Just like in English, this adjective is only used when referring to plural nouns that are countable. Adjectives serve the purpose of describing nouns and here, they indicate quantity. Therefore, it’s important to remember the different cases, such as Accusative and Dative, along with gender agreement while using "viele". Additionally, you can replace "viele" with a number for more precision.

For example:

Ich kenne viele Studenten an der Uni. → I know many students at the university.

Viele Menschen fahren im Sommer in den Urlaub. → Many people go on vacation in the summer.

Ich kaufe vielen Freunden Geschenke. → I buy gifts for many friends.

In der Küche sind viele Gläser. → There are many glasses in the kitchen.

The Meaning of “viel”

You're doing great so far! Remember, when translating "viel" into English, it usually means "much" or "a lot". This pronoun describes singular, uncountable nouns - which means you can't simply replace it with a number.

For example:

In meinem Portemonnaie ist viel Geld. → There's a lot of money in my wallet.

Ich wünsche dir viel Erfolg! → I wish you much success!

In der Flasche ist viel Wasser. → There is a lot of water in the bottle.

Wir haben nicht viel Zeit! → We do not have much time!

Conclusion

Great job on reading this article! I'm confident that any confusion you had has now been cleared up. And don't worry if you still feel unsure in a particular situation - remember to ask yourself whether the word can be replaced with a number. If so, go for "viele," and if not, stick with "viel." Keep practicing and soon enough, it will become second nature!

Also, don’t miss getting to know the difference between man & Mann in German.

Bis bald!

Steffie

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