이 페이지를 내 언어로

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 adverb #1,500 가장 일반적인 7분 분량

nebenbei

상위 1,500

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 nebenbei 30초 만에

설명 nebenbei in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'nebenbei' is rarely taught as a core vocabulary word, but you might hear it in very simple contexts. It's best understood as 'doing two things'. For example, 'Ich höre Musik und lerne nebenbei.' Even at this early stage, understanding that 'neben' means 'beside' helps you visualize the meaning: one action is beside the other. You don't need to use it in complex ways yet; just focus on the idea of multitasking. It helps you sound more natural than just using 'und' all the time. Think of it as a way to show you are busy with more than one thing. It's a great 'bonus' word to make your simple sentences sound a bit more like a native speaker's. Don't worry about the 'by the way' meaning yet; just stick to the 'simultaneous action' part. If you can say 'Ich trinke Kaffee und lese nebenbei', you've mastered the A1 usage. It's about adding a little extra flavor to your basic descriptions of daily life.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the A2 level, you can start using 'nebenbei' to describe your hobbies or small jobs. For instance, 'Ich arbeite im Supermarkt und lerne nebenbei Deutsch.' This shows a bit more complexity in your life. You are also introduced to the idea that 'nebenbei' can mean something is not the main focus. If someone asks what you do for fun, you could say, 'Ich spiele Fußball, aber nur so nebenbei.' This tells the listener that it's a casual hobby, not a professional pursuit. You might also start hearing 'nebenbei bemerkt' in listening exercises, which translates to 'by the way'. At A2, you should try to use it to connect two simple ideas. It's a step up from 'auch' (also). While 'auch' just adds information, 'nebenbei' adds the context that the information is secondary. This nuance helps you describe your routine more accurately. It's a very useful word for the 'Speaking' part of an A2 exam when describing your daily activities or interests.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

B1 is the level where 'nebenbei' becomes a key vocabulary item. You are expected to use it both to describe multitasking and to transition between topics in a conversation. You should be comfortable using phrases like 'Nur mal nebenbei...' to introduce a side note. This is crucial for the 'interaction' part of the B1 level, where you need to manage a conversation naturally. You also use it to describe more complex life situations, such as 'Ich habe mein Studium abgeschlossen und nebenbei in einer Bar gearbeitet.' Here, it clearly distinguishes between your main goal (studying) and your secondary activity (working). You'll also encounter it more in reading texts about work-life balance or modern lifestyles. Understanding the difference between 'nebenbei' and 'übrigens' becomes important here. You should also start noticing how it's used with specific verbs like 'laufen' (e.g., 'Das Radio läuft nebenbei') to describe background noise or activities. It's a word that adds 'flow' to your German.

At B2, you should master the nuances of 'nebenbei'. You use it to express that something was done effortlessly or without much thought. For example, 'Er hat die Prüfung ganz nebenbei bestanden.' This implies he didn't have to try very hard. You also use it in more formal contexts, such as 'Nebenbei sei erwähnt, dass...' (It should be mentioned in passing that...). This is a more sophisticated way to add information in an essay or a presentation. You understand that 'nebenbei' can also have a slightly dismissive tone, depending on how it's said. If someone says, 'Das hat er nur nebenbei erwähnt,' it might mean they didn't give the information the importance it deserved. At this level, you should be able to use it to structure your speech effectively, using it to tuck away less important details so the main point stands out. You also recognize it in literature and news reports where it's used to provide background context to a main story.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C1 level, 'nebenbei' is used with high precision. You can use it to describe complex social or economic phenomena, such as 'die negativen Effekte, die nebenbei entstehen' (the side effects that arise incidentally). You are familiar with idiomatic expressions and can use the word to create subtle shifts in tone. You might use it in academic writing to acknowledge a secondary point without derailing your main argument. You also understand the stylistic difference between 'nebenbei' and more formal alternatives like 'marginal' or 'peripher'. You can use 'nebenbei' to sound more approachable and 'human' in a high-level discussion, showing that you can balance formal vocabulary with natural, idiomatic adverbs. You also pick up on its use in irony—for example, mentioning a huge achievement 'ganz nebenbei' to show modesty or to be jokingly arrogant. Your grasp of the word's placement in complex sentences is perfect, ensuring that the 'incidental' nature of the comment is clear from the syntax.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At C2, 'nebenbei' is a tool for stylistic mastery. You use it to manage the 'information density' of your speech and writing perfectly. You can use it in highly nuanced ways, such as in the phrase 'das läuft so nebenher/nebenbei', to describe systemic processes that happen without direct intervention. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it fits into the broader landscape of German particles and adverbs. You can use it to mirror the complexity of thought, where multiple layers of meaning are presented simultaneously. In literary analysis or high-level debate, you use 'nebenbei' to point out subtle subtexts or secondary themes. You have a perfect 'ear' for when 'nebenbei' sounds too casual and when it is the perfect choice to lighten the mood of a serious discussion. It's no longer just a word; it's a brushstroke in your linguistic painting, used to add depth, shadow, and perspective to your communication.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

nebenbei 30초 만에

Used for multitasking: doing a secondary thing while focusing on a main task.
Functions as 'by the way' to introduce incidental or extra information.
Commonly refers to side jobs or hobbies that aren't a primary focus.
Essential for natural-sounding German conversation and topic transitions.

The German adverb nebenbei is a versatile word that primarily functions to describe actions occurring simultaneously or information provided as an afterthought. At its core, it combines 'neben' (beside) and 'bei' (at/by), suggesting something happening on the side of a main event. It is essential for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between simple sentence structures and more nuanced, natural conversation. Whether you are talking about multitasking or adding a quick comment to a story, this word is your go-to tool.

Simultaneity: Doing something while focusing on another main task, like listening to a podcast while cleaning.

Ich lerne Deutsch und arbeite nebenbei in einem Café.

Incidental Information: Used to introduce a side note or a 'by the way' comment that isn't the main topic of conversation.

In a professional context, it often refers to secondary employment (Nebentätigkeit). If someone says they do something 'nebenbei', they mean it is not their primary focus or full-time occupation. This nuance is vital for understanding German work culture where 'Nebentätigkeiten' are common. Furthermore, in casual speech, 'nebenbei bemerkt' is the standard way to say 'incidentally' or 'as a side note'.

Das war nebenbei bemerkt eine sehr kluge Entscheidung.

Casualness: It implies a lack of intense focus or a secondary priority, making the action sound effortless or less formal.

Er hat das nebenbei erledigt, während er auf den Bus wartete.

Nur mal so nebenbei: Hast du den Schlüssel gefunden?

Sie macht das nur nebenbei als Hobby.

Using nebenbei correctly requires understanding its placement in a sentence. As an adverb, it is quite flexible, but its position can change the emphasis. When describing simultaneous actions, it usually follows the verb or the object. When used as a connector (like 'by the way'), it often appears at the beginning of a clause or right after the verb in the second position.

Positioning for Simultaneity: Place it after the conjugated verb to show that the action is secondary. 'Ich esse und lese nebenbei.'

Kannst du nebenbei den Müll rausbringen?

The 'By the way' Structure: Use 'Nebenbei bemerkt' or 'Nur mal nebenbei' to insert a comment. This is very common in spoken German.

One of the most frequent uses is in the context of work. If you have a main job but also do something else for money, you say: 'Ich arbeite nebenbei als...' This implies the second job is less important or takes up less time. It is also used to describe learning: 'Ich lerne die Vokabeln einfach nebenbei beim Kochen.' This suggests an effortless, integrated way of learning.

Er hat nebenbei noch ein Buch geschrieben.

Combining with Verbs: It often pairs with 'laufen' (to run) to mean something is happening in the background: 'Das Radio läuft nebenbei.'

Die Musik lief nur so nebenbei.

Ich wollte nebenbei fragen, ob du morgen Zeit hast.

Das Kind spielt und lernt nebenbei die Regeln.

You will encounter nebenbei in almost every facet of German life, from casual kitchen chats to professional office environments. In the workplace, colleagues might use it to mention a task they completed while focusing on a project. In social settings, it is the perfect 'segue' word to change the topic without being too abrupt. It's the sound of a culture that values efficiency—doing two things at once—but also values the polite insertion of extra information.

In Podcasts & Media: Hosts often use 'nebenbei bemerkt' to add context or a personal anecdote that isn't central to the main interview.

Wir haben nebenbei noch ein paar Statistiken vorbereitet.

In the Kitchen/Home: Families use it to describe multitasking: 'Ich koche und höre nebenbei Nachrichten.'

Furthermore, in job interviews, you might be asked if you have any 'Nebentätigkeiten' (side jobs), and you would respond using 'nebenbei'. It shows you are active and perhaps have diverse interests. In academic settings, a professor might mention a related theory 'nur mal so nebenbei' to encourage further reading without making it mandatory for the exam.

Das können wir nebenbei beim Essen besprechen.

Shopping & Services: A salesperson might mention a discount 'ganz nebenbei' to influence your decision subtly.

Ach, nebenbei: Die Schuhe sind heute im Angebot.

Ich habe das nebenbei im Radio gehört.

Er erwähnte nebenbei, dass er umzieht.

While nebenbei is common, learners often confuse it with other words like 'außerdem' or 'zusätzlich'. The main mistake is using it when the second action is actually just as important as the first. 'Nebenbei' always implies a hierarchy where one thing is the focus and the other is 'on the side'. If both are equal, 'gleichzeitig' (at the same time) is often better.

Confusion with 'Außerdem': 'Außerdem' means 'besides' or 'in addition' and is used to add points in an argument. 'Nebenbei' is more for incidental or simultaneous actions.

Falsch: Ich habe Hunger, nebenbei habe ich Durst. (Use 'außerdem' here).

Overusing 'Nebenbei bemerkt': Don't use this phrase to introduce every new thought. It should truly be an 'incidental' remark, otherwise, it sounds repetitive.

Another mistake is confusing 'nebenbei' with 'nebenan' (next door). While they both share the root 'neben', 'nebenan' is purely spatial, whereas 'nebenbei' is temporal or conceptual. Also, ensure you don't use it when you mean 'randomly' (zufällig). 'Nebenbei' implies a connection to what is already happening, not a complete accident.

Richtig: Ich habe ihn nebenbei gefragt (while we were doing something else).

Grammar Trap: Remember that 'nebenbei' does not trigger a change in word order unless it's at the very beginning of the sentence (Position 1).

Nebenbei bemerkt ist das Wetter heute schön. (Verb in position 2).

Ich habe nebenbei noch Hausaufgaben gemacht.

Sie hat das nebenbei erwähnt, als wir gingen.

To truly master nebenbei, you must know how it compares to its synonyms and related terms. German has many ways to express 'also' or 'at the same time', and choosing the right one depends on the context and the level of formality you wish to achieve.

Nebenbei vs. Gleichzeitig: 'Gleichzeitig' is neutral and focuses on the timing. 'Nebenbei' implies that one action is secondary or casual.

Wir arbeiten gleichzeitig am Projekt (equal focus).

Nebenbei vs. Übrigens: 'Übrigens' is the most direct translation for 'by the way'. 'Nebenbei' is slightly more descriptive of the act of mentioning something on the side.

Other similar words include 'zusätzlich' (additionally) and 'beiläufig' (casual/incidental). 'Beiläufig' is an adjective/adverb that describes the *manner* in which something is done—very casually, almost as if it doesn't matter. 'Nebenbei' is more about the *structure* of the actions or the conversation.

Er erwähnte es nur beiläufig (very casually).

Nebenbei vs. Zudem: 'Zudem' is formal and used in writing to add a point. 'Nebenbei' is more common in speech.

Ich mache das nebenbei, um Geld zu verdienen.

Das ist nebenbei bemerkt völlig egal.

Sie lernt nebenbei noch Spanisch.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Word order in main clauses

Adverb placement

Infinitive with 'zu'

Passive voice

Konjunktiv I for formal speech

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

Ich lerne und höre nebenbei Musik.

I study and listen to music on the side.

Adverb follows the second verb.

Er isst und sieht nebenbei fern.

He eats and watches TV at the same time.

Shows simultaneous action.

Wir reden und kochen nebenbei.

We talk and cook on the side.

Simple present tense.

Sie spielt und lernt nebenbei.

She plays and learns at the same time.

Adverb used for multitasking.

Ich trinke Tee und lese nebenbei.

I drink tea and read on the side.

Common daily activity.

Das Radio läuft nebenbei.

The radio is running in the background.

'Laufen' + 'nebenbei' = background noise.

Er arbeitet und telefoniert nebenbei.

He works and talks on the phone on the side.

Professional context.

Ich mache Sport und höre nebenbei Podcasts.

I do sports and listen to podcasts on the side.

Modern usage.

Ich arbeite nebenbei in einem Restaurant.

I work on the side in a restaurant.

Refers to a side job.

Nebenbei bemerkt: Ich habe heute Geburtstag.

By the way: It's my birthday today.

Introductory phrase.

Er lernt Deutsch und macht nebenbei Sport.

He learns German and does sports on the side.

Balancing two activities.

Ich mache das nur so nebenbei als Hobby.

I only do that on the side as a hobby.

'Nur so' adds a casual tone.

Kannst du nebenbei das Fenster zumachen?

Can you close the window while you're at it?

Requesting a secondary action.

Sie hat nebenbei noch Brot gekauft.

She bought bread on the side (additionally).

Perfekt tense usage.

Wir haben das beim Gehen nebenbei besprochen.

We discussed that on the side while walking.

Temporal connection.

Das Kind lernt die Sprache ganz nebenbei.

The child learns the language quite incidentally.

'Ganz' emphasizes ease.

Nebenbei bemerkt, das Treffen wurde verschoben.

Incidentally, the meeting was postponed.

Discourse marker.

Ich versuche, nebenbei etwas Geld zu verdienen.

I'm trying to earn some money on the side.

Infinitive construction.

Er hat die Nachricht nur nebenbei erwähnt.

He only mentioned the news in passing.

Focus on the manner of speaking.

Während der Arbeit höre ich nebenbei immer Radio.

During work, I always listen to the radio in the background.

Habitual action.

Das ist eine gute Übung, die man nebenbei machen kann.

That's a good exercise you can do on the side.

Relative clause.

Nur mal nebenbei: Hast du den Bericht fertig?

Just by the way: Have you finished the report?

Conversational filler.

Sie hat drei Kinder und arbeitet nebenbei als Autorin.

She has three children and works as an author on the side.

Complex life situation.

Man kann die Vokabeln gut nebenbei beim Pendeln lernen.

One can learn vocabulary well on the side while commuting.

Modal verb construction.

Es war eine Entscheidung, die er so nebenbei traf.

It was a decision he made just like that (incidentally).

Implies lack of deep thought.

Nebenbei sei erwähnt, dass die Kosten gestiegen sind.

It should be mentioned in passing that costs have risen.

Formal 'sei' (Konjunktiv I).

Er erledigte die Korrekturen ganz nebenbei.

He finished the corrections quite effortlessly on the side.

Emphasizes efficiency.

Die Musik war so laut, dass man sich nicht nebenbei unterhalten konnte.

The music was so loud that one couldn't talk on the side.

Negative result clause.

Nebenbei bemerkt ist das nicht das erste Mal.

Incidentally, this isn't the first time.

Adding historical context.

Sie führt ein Unternehmen und engagiert sich nebenbei ehrenamtlich.

She runs a company and volunteers on the side.

High-level multitasking.

Das Problem wurde nur nebenbei in der Sitzung angesprochen.

The problem was only mentioned incidentally in the meeting.

Passive voice.

Man sollte nicht vergessen, was nebenbei alles passieren kann.

One shouldn't forget everything that can happen on the side.

Abstract usage.

Die technologische Entwicklung hat nebenbei viele Berufe überflüssig gemacht.

Technological development has incidentally made many professions redundant.

Describing systemic side effects.

Er pflegt einen beiläufigen Ton, als würde er alles nur nebenbei sagen.

He maintains a casual tone, as if he were saying everything only in passing.

Describing communication style.

Nebenbei bemerkt, die ästhetische Komponente ist hier zweitrangig.

Incidentally, the aesthetic component is secondary here.

Academic interjection.

Solche Erkenntnisse gewinnt man oft nur nebenbei bei der Recherche.

One often gains such insights only incidentally during research.

Focus on serendipity.

Es ist ein interessanter Aspekt, der nebenbei zur Sprache kam.

It is an interesting aspect that was brought up incidentally.

Idiomatic 'zur Sprache kommen'.

Er hat das Imperium aufgebaut und nebenbei noch drei Sprachen gelernt.

He built the empire and, on the side, learned three languages.

Used for hyperbolic contrast.

Die sozialen Folgen wurden von der Politik nur nebenbei behandelt.

The social consequences were only treated as a side issue by politicians.

Critique of priority.

Man kann die Komplexität nicht einfach nebenbei erfassen.

One cannot simply grasp the complexity on the side.

Modal negation.

Die Marginalisierung solcher Themen geschieht oft ganz nebenbei durch Unterlassung.

The marginalization of such topics often happens quite incidentally through omission.

High-level sociological observation.

Nebenbei bemerkt, die Ironie der Situation entging ihm völlig.

Incidentally, the irony of the situation escaped him completely.

Subtle narrative commentary.

In seinem Werk werden existenzielle Fragen oft nur nebenbei gestreift.

In his work, existential questions are often only touched upon in passing.

Literary analysis.

Das Projekt scheiterte an Details, die man nur nebenbei beachtet hatte.

The project failed due to details that had only been noticed incidentally.

Causal analysis.

Er erwähnte seine Nobilitierung nur so ganz nebenbei, als wäre es nichts.

He mentioned his ennoblement only quite incidentally, as if it were nothing.

Social nuance/understatement.

Die Wahrheit kam erst nebenbei in einem Nebensatz ans Licht.

The truth only came to light incidentally in a subordinate clause.

Metaphorical usage.

Man darf die psychologischen Effekte, die nebenbei wirken, nicht unterschätzen.

One must not underestimate the psychological effects that work on the side.

Scientific caution.

Das Leben passiert, während man nebenbei andere Pläne macht.

Life happens while you're making other plans on the side.

Philosophical reflection.

자주 쓰는 조합

nebenbei bemerkt

nebenbei erwähnt

ganz nebenbei

nur mal nebenbei

nebenbei laufen

nebenbei arbeiten

nebenbei verdienen

nebenbei erledigen

nebenbei fragen

nebenbei hören

자주 쓰는 구문

Das mache ich nur nebenbei.

Nebenbei bemerkt...

Nur mal so nebenbei...

Das läuft so nebenbei.

Ich habe das nebenbei gehört.

Er hat es nebenbei erwähnt.

Kannst du das nebenbei machen?

Ich arbeite nebenbei als...

Das ist nur ein Nebenbei-Job.

Ganz nebenbei gesagt...

자주 혼동되는 단어

nebenbei vs außerdem

nebenbei vs gleichzeitig

nebenbei vs nebenan

관용어 및 표현

"etwas mit links und nebenbei machen"

"nebenbei bemerkt sein"

"das läuft so nebenher"

"nebenbei die Welt retten"

"nebenbei Kasse machen"

"nebenbei unter den Tisch fallen lassen"

"nebenbei ein Auge auf etwas werfen"

"nebenbei die Zeit totschlagen"

"nebenbei sein Mütchen kühlen"

"nebenbei auf zwei Hochzeiten tanzen"

혼동하기 쉬운

nebenbei vs nebenan

nebenbei vs übrigens

문장 패턴

어휘 가족

사용법

nuance

Implies a hierarchy of importance.

frequency

Very high in spoken German.

자주 하는 실수

Using 'nebenbei' for 'next door'.
Using 'nebenbei' for 'besides' in an argument.
Adding adjective endings.
Using it for two equally important things.
Wrong word order after 'Nebenbei'.

팁

The Sidecar

Imagine a motorcycle sidecar. It's 'nebenbei' (beside and at) the main bike.

Topic Jumper

Use 'Nur mal nebenbei' when you want to ask something unrelated to the current topic.

No Endings

Never add -e, -er, or -es to 'nebenbei'. It stays the same forever.

Background Check

When you hear 'läuft nebenbei', look for what's happening in the background.

Job Talk

Always use 'nebenbei' when talking about your side hustle or student job.

Essay Flow

In essays, use 'Nebenbei sei erwähnt' to add a small but interesting point.

Efficiency

Germans value doing things 'nebenbei' as a sign of being capable and active.

Not Equal

Remember: 'nebenbei' means the second thing is less important than the first.

Stress

Stress the 'bei' part of the word: neben-BEI.

Office Talk

Use it to mention a small task you did while working on a big project.

암기하기

어원

Middle High German

문화적 맥락

Side jobs must often be reported to the main employer.

Directness is valued, but 'nebenbei' provides a soft way to add info.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Was machst du eigentlich so nebenbei?"

"Hast du nebenbei schon von der Neuigkeit gehört?"

"Kannst du nebenbei mal kurz helfen?"

"Was läuft bei dir im Radio so nebenbei?"

"Arbeitest du nebenbei an einem Projekt?"

일기 주제

Was machst du oft nebenbei, wenn du lernst?

Hast du einen Job, den du nur nebenbei machst?

Welche Hobbys verfolgst du nur so nebenbei?

Was hast du heute nebenbei bemerkt?

Wie wichtig ist es dir, Dinge nebenbei zu erledigen?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

It is mostly used in spoken or informal German, but phrases like 'Nebenbei sei erwähnt' are perfectly fine in formal writing.

Yes, but remember that the verb must come immediately after it (e.g., 'Nebenbei bemerkte er...').

They are almost identical. 'Nebenher' is slightly more common in Southern Germany and often refers more to the physical 'running alongside'.

No, its primary meaning is 'on the side' or 'simultaneously'. 'By the way' is a secondary usage.

No, 'nebenbei' implies it is not your main focus or full-time occupation.

No, it is an adverb. It does not decline (change endings).

'Nebenbei bemerkt' is the most common way.

Yes, 'Die Musik läuft nebenbei' is a very common expression.

Yes, it's a great word to use in B1/B2 speaking exams to show natural flow.

'Hauptsächlich' (mainly) is the best antonym.

무료 가입하고 팁과 노트 보기