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A2 adjective #700 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

verschieden

Top 700

At the A1 level, you should learn 'verschieden' as a simple word for 'different' or 'various.' You will mostly use it in the plural to talk about things you have or see. For example, 'Ich habe verschiedene Hobbys' (I have various hobbies). It is important to remember that when you use it like this, you don't need to put 'die' or 'meine' in front of it if you are just listing things. At this stage, don't worry too much about the complex grammar; just focus on using 'verschiedene' + a plural noun to show variety. You might also hear it when someone says 'Wir sind verschieden' (We are different), which is a basic way to describe people having different characters or looks. Keep it simple and use it to expand your descriptions of everyday objects and people.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'verschieden' more accurately with adjective endings. You should understand that 'verschiedene' can mean 'several' or 'a few different ones.' You will use it in more complex sentences, such as 'Ich war in verschiedenen Ländern' (I was in various countries). You should also begin to notice the difference between 'verschieden' and 'anders.' Remember: 'verschieden' is for variety among multiple things, while 'anders' is often used to say something is 'not the same' as it was before. You might also encounter 'verschieden' in short texts about culture or society, where it describes different traditions or opinions. Start practicing the declension of the word in the plural across different cases like Nominative and Accusative.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'verschieden' in both its attributive (before a noun) and predicative (after a verb) forms. You will use it to express more nuanced ideas, such as 'Es gibt verschiedene Gründe für diese Entscheidung' (There are various reasons for this decision). You should also be aware of its synonym 'unterschiedlich' and try to use both to make your German sound more natural. At this level, you might also encounter the word in more formal writing, such as emails or short essays, where it helps you categorize and list points. You should also be aware that 'verschieden' can be a euphemism for 'dead' in formal contexts, though you probably won't use it that way yourself yet. Focus on using it to structure your arguments and descriptions more clearly.

At the B2 level, you should understand the subtle stylistic differences between 'verschieden,' 'unterschiedlich,' and 'divers.' You will use 'verschieden' in more abstract contexts, such as discussing 'verschiedene Lösungsansätze' (various approaches to a solution) or 'verschiedene gesellschaftliche Schichten' (different social classes). Your understanding of adjective declension should be near-perfect, allowing you to use 'verschieden' in all cases and genders without hesitation. You should also be able to recognize the word in literary or historical texts, where its older or more formal meanings might appear. At this stage, you should also be able to use the adverbial form 'verschiedentlich,' which means 'on several occasions' or 'repeatedly,' adding a higher level of sophistication to your speech and writing.

At the C1 level, 'verschieden' becomes a tool for precise expression. You will use it to distinguish between 'various' (multiplicity) and 'different' (dissimilarity) with high accuracy. You should be able to discuss complex topics like 'die verschiedenen Strömungen in der Philosophie' (the various currents in philosophy) or 'verschiedenartige Auswirkungen der Globalisierung' (diverse effects of globalization). You will also be familiar with the noun 'Verschiedenheit' (diversity/difference) and use it in academic or professional discussions. At this level, you should also understand the cultural weight of the word when used in obituaries or formal commemorations. Your use of 'verschieden' should reflect an understanding of its register—knowing when it sounds too formal and when it is the exactly right word for the context.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'verschieden' and its entire word family. You can use it to convey subtle irony, poetic depth, or absolute precision. You understand its etymological roots in 'scheiden' and how this influences its use in legal or philosophical German. You can effortlessly navigate the most formal registers where 'der Verschiedene' is used, and you can use 'verschieden' in complex grammatical constructions involving genitive attributes or participial phrases. You also recognize and can use rare related terms like 'verschiedentlich' or 'verschiedenartig' to add variety to your prose. For a C2 learner, 'verschieden' is not just a word for 'different,' but a versatile element of the German language that can be used to describe the very nature of existence and diversity.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

verschieden en 30 secondes

Means 'different' or 'various'.
Used to describe diversity among multiple things.
Can be a formal word for 'deceased'.
Often used in the plural without an article to mean 'several'.

The German adjective verschieden is a fundamental word that every learner must master, primarily because it covers the semantic territory of both 'different' and 'various' in English. At its linguistic core, the word is derived from the verb scheiden, which means to separate or to part. When the prefix ver- is added, it indicates a completed process or a state resulting from separation. Therefore, things that are verschieden are things that have been set apart from one another by their characteristics, origins, or nature. In everyday German, you will encounter this word in two main grammatical roles. First, when used in the plural without a definite article (e.g., verschiedene Menschen), it often translates to 'various' or 'several,' suggesting a diverse group of items. Second, when used to compare two or more specific things, it means 'different' or 'dissimilar.'

Semantic Nuance: While 'verschieden' and 'unterschiedlich' are often used interchangeably, 'verschieden' tends to emphasize the inherent diversity or the separate nature of entities, whereas 'unterschiedlich' focuses more on the specific points of contrast or variation between them.

Wir haben verschiedene Meinungen zu diesem Thema, aber wir respektieren einander.

Beyond these common uses, 'verschieden' also possesses a formal, almost poetic quality when used as a euphemism for death. To say someone is verschieden is a very polite and indirect way of saying they have passed away. This is similar to the English 'departed.' This dual nature—being both a common word for variety and a sensitive word for mortality—makes it a versatile tool in the German vocabulary. Learners should also note that 'verschieden' is an adjective that can be declined. When it comes before a noun, its ending changes based on the gender, number, and case of that noun. However, when used after a verb like sein (to be), it remains in its base form: Die Farben sind verschieden.

Quantification: In the plural, 'verschiedene' acts as an indefinite numeral. 'Ich habe verschiedene Bücher gelesen' means you have read several different books, not just one type.

Es gibt verschiedene Wege, um zum Bahnhof zu kommen.

Die Geschmäcker der Menschen sind oft sehr verschieden.

Euphemistic Use: In formal contexts, 'der Verschiedene' refers to 'the deceased.' It is a way to speak about death with dignity and distance.

In Gedenken an den verschiedenen Künstler wurde eine Ausstellung eröffnet.

Using verschieden correctly requires an understanding of German adjective endings and the specific contexts where it outshines its synonyms. When used attributively—that is, directly before a noun—it must agree with the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, in the nominative plural, you might say verschiedene Möglichkeiten (various possibilities). In the dative plural, it becomes mit verschiedenen Möglichkeiten (with various possibilities). This flexibility allows 'verschieden' to fit into any sentence structure. One of the most common patterns is the use of 'verschieden' to describe a set of items that are not uniform. If you are talking about a collection of stamps, you would say Ich habe verschiedene Briefmarken. Here, the focus is on the variety within the collection.

Attributive Use: When placed before a noun, 'verschieden' acts as a descriptor of variety. It usually does not take an article when meaning 'several' or 'various.'

Sie hat in verschiedenen Städten in Europa gelebt.

When used predicatively—following a verb like sein or bleiben—the word does not take an ending. This is the simplest way to use it. For instance, Unsere Interessen sind verschieden (Our interests are different). In this case, 'verschieden' describes the relationship between the interests. It is important to distinguish this from anders. If you say Das ist anders, you mean 'That is different [from what I expected or from something else].' If you say Das ist verschieden, it sounds slightly incomplete unless you are comparing multiple things: Die Ergebnisse sind verschieden (The results are different [from each other]).

Predicative Use: In this role, 'verschieden' describes the state of multiple subjects being unlike one another. It remains uninflected.

Obwohl sie Zwillinge sind, sind ihre Charaktere völlig verschieden.

Die Preise für das Hotel sind je nach Saison verschieden.

Adverbial Use: While less common than 'unterschiedlich,' 'verschieden' can occasionally modify verbs to show that an action is performed in diverse ways.

Man kann dieses Problem auf verschiedene Weise lösen.

You will encounter verschieden in a wide array of contexts, ranging from the highly formal to the mundane. In academic and professional settings, it is the preferred term for describing diversity in data, opinions, or methods. A scientist might discuss verschiedene Versuchsreihen (various series of experiments), or a manager might present verschiedene Strategien (various strategies). In these environments, 'verschieden' sounds precise and objective. It suggests a structured variety rather than a chaotic one. In the news, you will often hear it when reporters describe the 'various' locations where an event took place or the 'different' reactions from political leaders.

Formal Contexts: In reports, literature, and official documents, 'verschieden' is used to denote multiplicity and distinction with a level of sophistication.

Das Gesetz sieht verschiedene Strafen für diese Vergehen vor.

In everyday conversation, 'verschieden' is ubiquitous when people talk about their preferences or experiences. If you are at a restaurant with friends, someone might remark that the dishes look sehr verschieden. Or, if you are discussing travel, you might mention that you visited verschiedene Länder last summer. It is a 'safe' word—never too slangy, never too stiff—making it perfect for learners at the A2 level and beyond. However, one must be aware of its presence in the obituary section of a newspaper. Phrases like nach langem Leiden verschieden (passed away after long suffering) are standard in German funeral culture. While you wouldn't use this in a casual chat about a dead goldfish, knowing this usage is vital for reading formal German.

Daily Life: From shopping for clothes ('verschiedene Farben') to discussing hobbies, 'verschieden' is the go-to word for variety.

Wir haben heute verschiedene Aufgaben zu erledigen.

Die Meinungen über den neuen Film sind sehr verschieden.

Media and News: Journalists use 'verschieden' to categorize different viewpoints or geographical locations in a concise manner.

Der Minister traf sich mit verschiedenen Vertretern der Industrie.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with verschieden is confusing it with anders. In English, the word 'different' is used for almost everything. In German, anders is an adverb or a predicative adjective that means 'in a different way' or 'not the same as before/something else.' For example, Ich bin heute anders (I am different today) is correct, but Ich bin heute verschieden would imply you have died today! This is a high-stakes mistake. Use 'verschieden' when comparing multiple entities or listing variety, and use 'anders' when describing a change in state or a qualitative difference from a single reference point.

Verschieden vs. Anders: 'Verschieden' refers to diversity among several things. 'Anders' refers to a difference from a norm or a previous state.

Falsch: Mein Bruder ist verschieden als ich. (Wrong: My brother is different than me.)

Richtig: Mein Bruder und ich sind verschieden. (Correct: My brother and I are different.)

Another common pitfall is the confusion with unterschiedlich. While these two are often synonyms, 'unterschiedlich' is much more common in spoken German when you want to say 'different.' If you find yourself always using 'verschieden,' you might sound a bit formal or literary. Try to incorporate 'unterschiedlich' for everyday comparisons. Furthermore, learners often forget that 'verschiedene' (plural) does not usually take an article when it means 'various.' Saying die verschiedenen Leute is correct if you are referring to a specific group already mentioned, but if you just want to say 'various people,' omit the 'die.'

Article Usage: Using 'die verschiedenen' implies 'the specific various ones,' whereas 'verschiedene' on its own means 'several different ones' in a general sense.

Ich habe verschiedene Fragen. (I have several/various questions.)

Die verschiedenen Fragen wurden alle beantwortet. (The various questions [we just discussed] were all answered.)

Euphemism Awareness: Be careful using 'verschieden' with singular persons unless you mean they have died. 'Er ist verschieden' is a death announcement.

To truly master German, you need to know the alternatives to verschieden and when to use them. The most direct competitor is unterschiedlich. This word is derived from Unterschied (difference). It is the standard word for 'different' in modern German. If you are comparing two things and saying they are not the same, 'unterschiedlich' is your best bet. It sounds slightly more dynamic and less 'static' than 'verschieden.' Another important word is divers. Borrowed from Latin, it is used in professional and academic contexts to mean 'diverse' or 'miscellaneous.' You will often see it in job advertisements (m/w/d - männlich, weiblich, divers) to include non-binary individuals.

Comparison: Verschieden vs. Unterschiedlich: 'Verschieden' often implies a fixed state of being separate or various. 'Unterschiedlich' emphasizes the contrast or the degree of difference.

Die Ergebnisse sind unterschiedlich ausgefallen. (The results turned out differently.)

Then there is mannigfaltig, a beautiful, higher-level word meaning 'manifold' or 'multifaceted.' Use this in literature or formal speeches to describe a great and rich variety. For example, die mannigfaltigen Aufgaben des Lebens (the manifold tasks of life). On the simpler side, ungleich means 'unequal' or 'unlike.' It is often used in mathematics or when comparing two things that are not balanced. If two people have very different levels of power, you might describe the situation as ungleich.

Comparison: Verschieden vs. Anders: 'Anders' is used for 'other' or 'different' in a qualitative sense (how something is). 'Verschieden' is used for 'various' or 'distinct' (what things are).

Das ist ein anderes Problem. (That is a different/another problem.)

Es gibt verschiedene Probleme. (There are various problems.)

Miscellaneous Alternatives: 'Verschiedenartig' (of different kinds), 'Vielerlei' (many kinds of), and 'Allerlei' (all sorts of) are useful for specifying the type of variety.

Im Garten wachsen verschiedenartige Blumen.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"Die verschiedenen Interessengruppen konnten keine Einigung erzielen."

Neutre

"Wir haben verschiedene Optionen für den Urlaub."

Informel

"Meine Socken sind heute voll verschieden."

Child friendly

"Schau mal, die bunten Fische sind alle verschieden!"

Argot

"Wir sind einfach zu verschieden, Digga."

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'verschieden' is a perfect example of how German uses prefixes. 'Scheiden' means to separate, and 'ver-' often implies a result. So 'verschieden' literally means 'resulted in being separate.'

Guide de prononciation

UK fɛɐ̯ˈʃiːdn̩

US fɛrˈʃidən

The stress is on the second syllable: ver-SCHIE-den.

Rime avec

mieden hienieden zufrieden entschieden beschieden Süden (near rhyme) Liedern (near rhyme) Biedern

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be an 'f').
Making the 'ie' sound too short (it must be a long 'ee').
Stressing the first syllable 'ver' instead of 'schie'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts as it looks like 'different' in context.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of adjective endings in the plural.

Expression orale 3/5

Need to distinguish it from 'anders' and 'unterschiedlich' to sound natural.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation, but watch out for the 'v' sounding like 'f'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

gleich anders der Unterschied viele sein

Apprends ensuite

unterschiedlich divers die Verschiedenheit verschiedenartig mannigfaltig

Avancé

verscheiden der/die Verschiedene verschiedentlich grundverschieden

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Declension (Plural)

verschiedene (Nom/Acc), verschiedenen (Dat), verschiedener (Gen)

Predicative Adjectives

Die Autos sind verschieden. (No ending after 'sein')

Zero Article with Plural Adjectives

Ich habe verschiedene Bücher. (No 'die' needed)

Euphemisms in German

'Verschieden' as a polite word for 'tot'.

Comparison with 'als' and 'wie'

'Verschieden' is usually followed by 'von' or used with 'und' (A und B sind verschieden).

Exemples par niveau

Ich habe verschiedene Hobbys.

I have various hobbies.

'verschiedene' is used here as a plural adjective without an article.

Die Blumen sind verschieden.

The flowers are different.

'verschieden' is used predicatively after the verb 'sein', so it has no ending.

Wir essen verschiedene Früchte.

We eat various fruits.

Accusative plural usage.

Meine Freunde kommen aus verschiedenen Städten.

My friends come from different cities.

Dative plural usage after the preposition 'aus'.

Es gibt verschiedene Farben.

There are various colors.

Standard plural use to show variety.

Wir haben verschiedene Autos.

We have different cars.

Simple plural object.

Die Kinder sind sehr verschieden.

The children are very different.

Predicative use describing a state.

Sie trägt verschiedene Socken.

She is wearing different socks.

Shows a lack of similarity.

In Berlin gibt es viele verschiedene Museen.

In Berlin, there are many different museums.

'viele verschiedene' is a common combination.

Wir haben über verschiedene Themen gesprochen.

We talked about various topics.

Dative plural after 'über'.

Die Preise sind in verschiedenen Geschäften anders.

The prices are different in various shops.

Note the use of both 'verschiedenen' and 'anders'.

Es gibt verschiedene Wege zum Erfolg.

There are various ways to success.

Nominative plural.

Sie hat verschiedene Kleider anprobiert.

She tried on various dresses.

Accusative plural.

Die Geschwister haben verschiedene Augenfarben.

The siblings have different eye colors.

Attributive use.

Wir wohnen in verschiedenen Häusern.

We live in different houses.

Dative plural.

Er arbeitet an verschiedenen Projekten.

He is working on various projects.

Dative plural after 'an'.

Es gibt verschiedene Gründe, warum ich Deutsch lerne.

There are various reasons why I am learning German.

Used to introduce a list of reasons.

Die Meinungen der Experten sind sehr verschieden.

The opinions of the experts are very different.

Predicative use with a genitive attribute.

In verschiedenen Regionen Deutschlands spricht man anders.

People speak differently in various regions of Germany.

Dative plural indicating geographical variety.

Wir haben verschiedene Möglichkeiten, das Problem zu lösen.

We have various possibilities to solve the problem.

Standard B1 level vocabulary for problem-solving.

Das Buch wurde in viele verschiedene Sprachen übersetzt.

The book was translated into many different languages.

Accusative plural after 'in'.

Die Teilnehmer kommen aus ganz verschiedenen Branchen.

The participants come from very different industries.

'ganz verschieden' emphasizes the degree of difference.

Es wurden verschiedene Vorschläge gemacht.

Various suggestions were made.

Passive voice construction.

Die Qualität der Produkte ist sehr verschieden.

The quality of the products is very different.

Predicative use.

Die verschiedenen Ansätze führten zu unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen.

The various approaches led to different results.

Uses both 'verschieden' (with article) and 'unterschiedlich'.

In der Gesellschaft gibt es verschiedene soziale Schichten.

In society, there are various social classes.

Sociological context.

Die Künstlerin nutzt verschiedene Materialien für ihre Skulpturen.

The artist uses various materials for her sculptures.

Focus on artistic variety.

Es gibt verschiedene Theorien zur Entstehung des Universums.

There are various theories about the origin of the universe.

Scientific/Academic context.

Die Interessen der Beteiligten sind oft grundverschieden.

The interests of those involved are often fundamentally different.

'grundverschieden' is a strong compound adjective.

Wir müssen die verschiedenen Aspekte des Problems beleuchten.

We must highlight the various aspects of the problem.

Metaphorical use in a discussion.

Es gibt verschiedene Wege, dieses Ziel zu erreichen.

There are various ways to achieve this goal.

Formal phrasing.

Die Reaktionen auf die Nachricht waren sehr verschieden.

The reactions to the news were very different.

Describing emotional variety.

Die verschiedenen Strömungen innerhalb der Partei sind schwer zu vereinen.

The various currents within the party are difficult to unite.

Political/Complex context.

Es wurden verschiedene Szenarien für die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung entworfen.

Various scenarios for economic development were drafted.

Professional/Economic context.

Die Verschiedenheit der Kulturen bereichert unser Zusammenleben.

The diversity of cultures enriches our life together.

Using the noun 'Verschiedenheit'.

Trotz ihrer verschiedenen Herkunft haben sie viel gemeinsam.

Despite their different origins, they have a lot in common.

Dative after 'trotz' (which can take genitive or dative).

Die verschiedenen Interpretationen des Textes lassen Raum für Diskussionen.

The various interpretations of the text leave room for discussion.

Literary/Academic context.

In der Fachliteratur finden sich dazu verschiedene Ansichten.

In the specialist literature, there are various views on this.

Formal academic phrasing.

Die Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt sind in verschiedenen Regionen fatal.

The effects on the environment are fatal in various regions.

Environmental/Global context.

Er hat verschiedentlich darauf hingewiesen, dass die Frist abläuft.

He has pointed out on several occasions that the deadline is expiring.

Using the adverb 'verschiedentlich'.

Die ontologische Verschiedenheit der beiden Konzepte ist offensichtlich.

The ontological difference between the two concepts is obvious.

Philosophical context.

In seinem Spätwerk thematisiert der Autor die Endlichkeit und das Verschieden.

In his late work, the author addresses finitude and passing away.

Using 'Verschieden' as a nominalized euphemism for death.

Die verschiedenen Nuancen der Bedeutung sind für die Übersetzung entscheidend.

The various nuances of meaning are crucial for the translation.

Linguistic precision.

Es herrscht Uneinigkeit über die verschiedenen Auslegungen des Grundgesetzes.

There is disagreement over the various interpretations of the Basic Law.

Legal/Constitutional context.

Die verschiedenen Facetten seiner Persönlichkeit machten ihn zu einem Rätsel.

The various facets of his personality made him a mystery.

Literary description.

Man muss die verschiedenen Variablen in der Gleichung berücksichtigen.

One must consider the various variables in the equation.

Scientific/Mathematical context.

Die verschiedenen Interessenlagen der Akteure erschweren den Kompromiss.

The various interests of the actors make the compromise difficult.

High-level political/business phrasing.

Das Verschieden des großen Denkers hinterlässt eine Lücke in der Geisteswelt.

The passing of the great thinker leaves a void in the intellectual world.

Formal euphemism for death.

Collocations courantes

verschiedene Meinungen

verschiedene Möglichkeiten

verschiedene Farben

verschiedene Gründe

verschiedene Arten

verschiedene Wege

verschiedene Länder

verschiedene Sprachen

verschiedene Kulturen

verschiedene Interessen

Phrases Courantes

verschiedener Meinung sein

auf verschiedene Weise

in verschiedenen Bereichen

aus verschiedenen Gründen

von verschiedenen Seiten

zu verschiedenen Zeiten

in verschiedenen Farben erhältlich

verschiedene Dinge tun

verschiedene Rollen spielen

verschiedene Phasen durchlaufen

Souvent confondu avec

verschieden vs anders

'Anders' means 'in a different way' or 'different from a reference'. 'Verschieden' means 'diverse' or 'not identical'.

verschieden vs unterschiedlich

'Unterschiedlich' is more common in speech and focuses on the contrast between items.

verschieden vs sonstige

'Sonstige' means 'other' or 'miscellaneous' in a list, whereas 'verschiedene' means 'various'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Wie Tag und Nacht verschieden sein"

To be as different as day and night.

Die beiden Brüder sind wie Tag und Nacht verschieden.

informal

"Grundverschieden sein"

To be fundamentally different.

Unsere Ansichten sind grundverschieden.

neutral

"In Frieden verschieden"

To have passed away peacefully.

Er ist heute Morgen in Frieden verschieden.

formal/euphemistic

"Verschiedene Saiten aufziehen"

To use different (usually tougher) methods.

Jetzt müssen wir andere Saiten aufziehen. (Note: 'andere' is more common here, but 'verschiedene' can imply variety of methods).

idiomatic

"Auf verschiedenen Hochzeiten tanzen"

To be involved in too many different things at once.

Du kannst nicht auf fünf verschiedenen Hochzeiten gleichzeitig tanzen.

informal

"Mit verschiedenen Maßen messen"

To use double standards.

Man sollte hier nicht mit verschiedenen Maßen messen.

neutral

"Verschiedene Wege gehen"

To part ways or take different life paths.

Nach der Schule sind wir verschiedene Wege gegangen.

neutral

"Aus verschiedenem Holz geschnitzt sein"

To be of a different character/nature.

Wir sind einfach aus verschiedenem Holz geschnitzt.

informal

"Verschiedene Sprachen sprechen"

To not understand each other (metaphorically).

Es scheint, als würden wir verschiedene Sprachen sprechen.

neutral

"Den Verschiedenen die letzte Ehre erweisen"

To pay one's last respects to the deceased.

Viele Freunde kamen, um dem Verschiedenen die letzte Ehre zu erweisen.

formal

Facile à confondre

verschieden vs anders

Both translate to 'different' in English.

'Anders' is qualitative (how something is). 'Verschieden' is quantitative or categorical (what things are).

Das Wetter ist heute anders (different than yesterday). Es gibt verschiedene Wettertypen (various types).

verschieden vs unterschiedlich

They are nearly perfect synonyms.

'Unterschiedlich' emphasizes the 'Unterschied' (difference). 'Verschieden' emphasizes the 'variety'.

Die Preise sind unterschiedlich (they vary). Ich habe verschiedene Hobbys (I have several).

verschieden vs verschiedentlich

It looks like the adverb form of 'verschieden'.

'Verschiedentlich' means 'on several occasions' or 'now and then', not 'differently'.

Ich habe ihn verschiedentlich getroffen.

verschieden vs ungleich

Both mean 'not the same'.

'Ungleich' is often used for 'unequal' (math, power, size). 'Verschieden' is for 'diverse'.

2 und 3 sind ungleich. Wir sind verschieden.

verschieden vs ander-

Both can mean 'different'.

'Ander-' means 'another' or 'a different one' (not this one). 'Verschieden' means 'diverse'.

Ich möchte ein anderes Buch (a different one). Ich habe verschiedene Bücher (various ones).

Structures de phrases

Wir haben verschiedene [Nomen Plural].

Wir haben verschiedene Äpfel.

Die [Nomen Plural] sind verschieden.

Die Häuser sind verschieden.

In verschiedenen [Nomen Plural + n]...

In verschiedenen Ländern ist es heiß.

Es gibt verschiedene Gründe für [Akkusativ].

Es gibt verschiedene Gründe für den Erfolg.

Wir sind verschiedener Meinung über [Akkusativ].

Wir sind verschiedener Meinung über den Plan.

Die verschiedenen Aspekte von [Dativ]...

Die verschiedenen Aspekte von der Krise sind komplex.

Trotz verschiedener [Nomen Plural]...

Trotz verschiedener Meinungen fanden wir einen Kompromiss.

Das Verschieden von [Person]...

Das Verschieden des Dichters bewegte das Land.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High. It is one of the top 500 most used words in German.

Erreurs courantes

Er ist verschieden. (meaning: He is different/weird) → Er ist anders. / Er ist eigenartig.
'Er ist verschieden' means 'He is dead.' Use 'anders' for qualitative difference.
Ich habe verschieden Hobbys. → Ich habe verschiedene Hobbys.
Adjectives before a plural noun need an ending (usually -e in nominative/accusative).
Wir sind verschieden als sie. → Wir sind anders als sie. / Wir sind verschieden von ihnen.
'Verschieden' is not usually used with 'als' for comparison. Use 'anders als' or 'verschieden von'.
Die verschiedenen Leuten... → Die verschiedenen Leute...
In the nominative plural, the noun 'Leute' does not take an -n. Only the adjective does in certain cases.
Ich habe verschiedentlich Meinungen. → Ich habe verschiedene Meinungen.
'Verschiedentlich' is an adverb meaning 'occasionally', not an adjective meaning 'various'.

Astuces

Watch the Endings

In the plural dative, remember to add an '-en' to both 'verschieden' and the noun. Example: 'mit verschiedenen Freunden'.

The 'Anders' Trap

Never say 'Ich bin verschieden' to mean you've changed. You'll be telling people you're dead! Use 'Ich bin anders' instead.

Vary Your Synonyms

Use 'verschieden' for variety and 'unterschiedlich' for contrast to make your German sound more sophisticated.

Respectful Language

If you see 'verschieden' in a newspaper next to a person's name, it's an obituary. It's a very respectful way to talk about death.

The 'S' in Scheiden

Remember 'scheiden' (to separate) starts with 'S'. Things that are 'verschieden' are 'separated' into different categories.

Long 'ie'

Make sure to stretch the 'ie' sound. If it's too short, it might be harder for natives to understand you quickly.

No Article Needed

When listing things, just start with 'verschiedene'. You don't need 'die' or 'meine' most of the time.

Try 'Grundverschieden'

To sound like a pro, use 'grundverschieden' when two things have absolutely nothing in common.

Compare with 'Gleich'

Always remember the pair: 'gleich' (same) vs. 'verschieden' (different). It helps to learn them together.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'verschieden' as 'fair-SHEED-en'. Imagine a 'fair' where everything is 'separated' (sheed) into different stalls.

Association visuelle

Imagine a box of crayons where every crayon is a different color. Label the box 'Verschiedene Farben'.

Word Web

unterschiedlich divers Farben Meinungen Länder Hobbys Gründe Möglichkeiten

Défi

Try to write three sentences using 'verschieden' in three different cases: Nominative, Accusative, and Dative plural.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Middle High German 'verscheiden', which meant 'to separate' or 'to depart'.

Sens originel : To be separated or to have departed from a group or from life.

Germanic. Rooted in the Proto-Germanic '*skaidana' (to divide).

Contexte culturel

When using 'verschieden' to refer to a person, ensure the context is clear. Using it in the singular for a living person ('Er ist verschieden') will be understood as 'He is dead.'

English speakers often use 'different' for everything. In German, you must choose between 'verschieden', 'unterschiedlich', and 'anders'.

'Die Geschmäcker sind verschieden' (There is no accounting for taste) - a very common German proverb. Obituaries in the 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung' often use the term 'verschieden'. Songs about diversity often use the phrase 'Wir sind verschieden'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping

Haben Sie das in verschiedenen Größen?
Gibt es verschiedene Farben?
Ich möchte verschiedene Sorten probieren.

Discussions

Wir sind verschiedener Meinung.
Es gibt verschiedene Aspekte zu beachten.
Das sind zwei verschiedene Dinge.

Travel

Ich war in verschiedenen Städten.
Wir haben verschiedene Hotels gesehen.
Es gibt verschiedene Züge nach Berlin.

Work

Ich arbeite an verschiedenen Projekten.
Wir haben verschiedene Kunden.
Es gibt verschiedene Lösungswege.

Family

Meine Geschwister sind sehr verschieden.
Wir haben verschiedene Hobbys.
In verschiedenen Familien gibt es verschiedene Regeln.

Amorces de conversation

"Was sind drei verschiedene Dinge, die du heute gemacht hast?"

"Glaubst du, dass Männer und Frauen sehr verschieden sind?"

"In welchen verschiedenen Städten hast du schon gewohnt?"

"Warum haben Menschen so verschiedene Meinungen über Politik?"

"Welche verschiedenen Sprachen würdest du gerne lernen?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über zwei Freunde, die sehr verschieden sind.

Welche verschiedenen Ziele hast du für dieses Jahr?

Beschreibe die verschiedenen Farben in deinem Zimmer.

Warum ist es gut, dass wir alle verschieden sind?

Was sind die verschiedenen Gründe, warum du Deutsch lernst?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Only if you mean they have died. 'Er ist verschieden' is a formal way to say 'He has passed away.' If you want to say he is a different person now, use 'Er ist jetzt anders.'

'Verschiedene' means 'various' or 'several.' 'Viele verschiedene' emphasizes a large number of diverse items, similar to 'many different' in English.

Usually no. 'Verschiedene Menschen' means 'various people.' If you say 'Die verschiedenen Menschen,' you are referring to a specific group of diverse people you already mentioned.

Yes, slightly. In everyday spoken German, people use 'unterschiedlich' more often to describe differences. 'Verschieden' is very common in writing and formal speech.

You usually say 'verschieden von' + Dative. For example: 'Das ist verschieden von dem, was ich dachte.' However, 'anders als' is much more common for this meaning.

Yes, but it is rare. Usually, 'unterschiedlich' or 'anders' is used as the adverb. 'Verschiedentlich' is a separate adverb meaning 'occasionally.'

It is a formal noun meaning 'the deceased person.' You will see it in obituaries or at funerals.

Mostly, yes, when it means 'various.' When it means 'dissimilar,' it can be used in the singular with 'sein' (e.g., 'Unser Geschmack ist verschieden'), but even then, it implies a comparison between multiple things.

The most common opposites are 'gleich' (same/equal) or 'identisch' (identical).

Yes, in the plural without an article, 'verschiedene' often functions exactly like 'several' or 'various' in English.

Teste-toi 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence about having three different hobbies.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses 'verschiedene' as a plural adjective.