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etwas
/ˈɛtvas/
something
Kannst du mir etwas zu trinken geben?
Can you give me something to drink?
general
An unspecified thing or amount; something
Ich habe etwas Interessantes gelesen.
I read something interesting.
Er hat etwas zu essen mitgebracht.
He brought something to eat.
Used to refer to an unspecified object, quantity, or idea.
informal
A little; a small amount
Kann ich etwas Zucker in meinen Kaffee haben?
Can I have a little sugar in my coffee?
Ich habe etwas Geld gespart.
I saved a little money.
Often used to indicate a modest or unspecified quantity.
Collocations
etwas zu essensomething to eatetwas trinkensomething to drinketwas Interessantessomething interesting
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Indefinite Reference
Use 'etwas' when referring to an unspecified object or quantity, similar to 'something' in English.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'etwas' can shift slightly depending on context—whether it refers to an object, quantity, or abstract idea.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'etwes', from Old High German 'etwes', from Proto-Germanic 'etwaz' (something).
Usage Notes
Often used with indefinite articles or adjectives to refer to unspecified things or quantities. Can also mean 'a little' in informal contexts.
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