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A2 determiner #1,000 mais comum 15 min de leitura

wieviel

Top 1,000

At the A1 beginner level, the German word 'wieviel' is introduced as an absolute necessity for basic survival communication. When you first start learning German, your primary interactions often revolve around simple transactions: buying food, purchasing tickets, or asking for the time. In these scenarios, you do not need to understand the complex grammatical underpinnings of the word; you simply need to memorize it as a fixed chunk of vocabulary. The most critical phrase you will learn is 'Wieviel kostet das?' (How much does that cost?). This phrase is your golden key to navigating shops, markets, and restaurants. At this stage, teachers will emphasize the pronunciation, ensuring that the 'ie' sounds like a long English 'e' and that the 'v' is pronounced like an English 'f'. You will also learn to pair this word with basic uncountable nouns, primarily 'Geld' (money) and 'Zeit' (time). Another vital A1 phrase is 'Wieviel Uhr ist es?' (What time is it?), which introduces a slightly idiomatic use of the word. The focus at A1 is entirely on practical application and rote memorization of these highly frequent question forms. You will practice listening to prices and times in response to your questions, building your foundational comprehension of German numbers alongside this interrogative word. There is no expectation at this level to understand indirect questions or the historical spelling nuances; the goal is simply to be understood when you need to know a price or a quantity.

Moving into the A2 level, learners begin to unpack the grammatical mechanics behind 'wieviel'. You are no longer just memorizing phrases; you are starting to build your own sentences. The critical distinction between uncountable and countable nouns is introduced here. You must learn to differentiate between 'wieviel' (singular, for uncountable things like water, milk, or time) and 'wie viele' (plural, for countable things like apples, cars, or people). This is a major milestone in German grammar. At A2, you will also start using the word in slightly more complex direct questions, placing the verb correctly in the second position. For example, 'Wieviel Zucker nimmst du?' (How much sugar do you take?). You will practice using it in various everyday contexts beyond just shopping, such as discussing recipes, asking about distances, or inquiring about someone's schedule. The vocabulary surrounding the word expands, allowing you to ask about 'wieviel Platz' (how much space) or 'wieviel Gepäck' (how much luggage). Teachers will also start to gently correct the common mistake of using the singular form with plural nouns. By the end of A2, you should feel comfortable generating spontaneous questions about quantities in a variety of familiar, everyday situations, demonstrating a solid grasp of the basic syntax and semantic rules governing this essential interrogative.

At the B1 intermediate level, the usage of 'wieviel' becomes significantly more sophisticated, primarily through the introduction of indirect questions (Indirekte Fragen). This is a major grammatical hurdle for German learners. You must learn to take a direct question like 'Wieviel kostet das?' and embed it into a polite request: 'Können Sie mir sagen, wieviel das kostet?'. This requires a fundamental shift in sentence structure, specifically moving the conjugated verb to the very end of the subordinate clause. Mastering this verb-final word order is a core requirement for passing B1 exams. Furthermore, at this level, you will encounter the word in more abstract contexts. You are no longer just asking about physical items or money; you are asking about abstract concepts like 'wieviel Erfahrung' (how much experience) in a job interview context, or 'wieviel Wert' (how much value) someone places on a particular idea. The spelling reform nuance (wieviel vs. wie viel) might be briefly mentioned by teachers to explain why you might see different spellings in texts, though you will be encouraged to use the modern separated spelling in your own writing. You will also practice using the word as a standalone pronoun when the noun is implied by context, enhancing the natural flow of your conversations and reducing redundancy in your speech.

In the B2 upper-intermediate level, fluency and nuance become the primary goals. The word 'wieviel' is now a fully integrated part of your active vocabulary, and you are expected to use it flawlessly in complex sentence structures. At B2, you will encounter the word in highly abstract, professional, and academic discussions. You might debate 'wieviel Einfluss' (how much influence) the media has on politics, or discuss 'wieviel Verantwortung' (how much responsibility) a corporation holds. The usage shifts from simple inquiries to rhetorical questions and persuasive arguments. You will also learn to use it in combination with prepositions, though this is less common with the singular form than with the plural 'wie viele'. A key focus at B2 is understanding the subtle differences in register. You will learn when it is appropriate to use a direct 'Wieviel kostet das?' versus a more formal alternative like 'In welcher Höhe belaufen sich die Kosten?'. Your listening comprehension must be sharp enough to catch the word even when spoken rapidly in regional dialects or complex, multi-clause sentences. Furthermore, you will be expected to write formal emails or essays where the modern spelling 'wie viel' must be strictly adhered to, demonstrating your command of standard German orthography.

At the C1 advanced level, your understanding of 'wieviel' transcends basic grammar and enters the realm of stylistic mastery and historical linguistics. You are expected to consume native-level media, including literature, academic papers, and complex journalistic texts. In these materials, you will frequently encounter the older, compounded spelling 'wieviel', especially in texts published before 1996 or by authors who prefer the traditional orthography. You must be able to read and process this without hesitation. At C1, you will also master the derived forms of the word, most notably the ordinal number 'der/die/das wievielte' (the how-manieth), which is used to ask for dates (Den wievielten haben wir heute? - What is the date today?). This specific construction is highly idiomatic and requires a deep understanding of German declension. You will use the word in sophisticated rhetorical devices, expressing irony, exasperation, or profound philosophical inquiry. For example, 'Wieviel muss noch passieren, bevor wir handeln?' (How much more must happen before we act?). Your spoken German will utilize the word with natural intonation and perfect syntactic integration, regardless of how complex the surrounding sentence structure might be. You will also be able to confidently explain the spelling reform and its impact on this specific word to lower-level learners.

At the C2 mastery level, your command of 'wieviel' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You possess a complete, intuitive grasp of its semantic range, grammatical behavior, and historical evolution. You can effortlessly navigate texts from any era of modern German history, seamlessly adjusting your reading comprehension to accommodate the older compounded spelling 'wieviel' or the modern separated 'wie viel' without breaking your reading flow. You understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of choosing one spelling over the other in contemporary writing (e.g., a deliberate choice by an author to appear traditional or rebellious against the Duden). At this level, you use the word in highly specialized domains, such as legal, philosophical, or scientific discourse, where precision is paramount. You can construct and deconstruct incredibly complex, nested subordinate clauses where 'wieviel' acts as the pivot point. You are also fully comfortable with highly idiomatic or poetic uses of the word that defy standard grammatical categorization. Your ability to use derived forms, compound nouns (like 'das Wieviel'), and related abstract concepts is flawless. In essence, at C2, the word is no longer a vocabulary item to be studied, but a flexible, powerful tool that you wield with absolute precision to express the most complex and nuanced thoughts imaginable in the German language.

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

wieviel em 30 segundos

Translates to 'how much'.
Used for uncountable nouns.
Verb goes to end in indirect questions.
Officially spelled 'wie viel' today.

The German word wieviel is an essential interrogative term that translates directly to how much in English. It is primarily used to ask about quantities, specifically concerning uncountable nouns such as money, time, water, patience, and love. Understanding the precise application of this word is a foundational step in mastering German communication, as it unlocks the ability to navigate daily transactions, schedule events, and express inquiries about abstract concepts. Historically, the spelling of this word has been a subject of significant linguistic discussion. Prior to the comprehensive German orthography reform of 1996, wieviel was officially written as a single, compounded word. Following the reform, the standard spelling was updated to wie viel, separating the two components to align with the grammatical treatment of similar phrases. However, the compounded form wieviel remains deeply embedded in the cultural consciousness, frequently appearing in older literature, historical documents, and the everyday written habits of native speakers who were educated before the changes took effect. Furthermore, the compounded form survives officially in derived words such as the ordinal number der wievielte (the how-manieth). When learning German, encountering both variations is inevitable, and understanding their shared meaning is crucial for reading comprehension and natural communication.

Sentence wieviel Geld hast du dabei?

In practical, everyday usage, this term is indispensable. Whether you are standing at a traditional German bakery asking for the price of a loaf of bread, or inquiring about the remaining time before a train departs from the Hauptbahnhof, this is the vocabulary you will rely upon. It functions not only as a direct question word at the beginning of a sentence but also as a relative pronoun in indirect questions, which are common in polite German society.

Uncountable Nouns: These are substances or concepts that cannot be easily counted individually, such as water, air, or money. You must use the singular form of the question word here.

Sentence wieviel Zeit brauchen wir für das Projekt?

The distinction between countable and uncountable is a universal linguistic concept, but German enforces it strictly through the ending of the question word. If you add an 'e' to make it 'wie viele', you are suddenly asking 'how many' instead of 'how much'. This subtle shift is a common stumbling block for English speakers, who might accidentally ask 'how many money' if they are not careful with their endings.

Direct Questions: In a direct question, the interrogative word or phrase occupies the very first position in the sentence, immediately followed by the conjugated verb.

Sentence wieviel kostet dieses schöne Buch?

Beyond simple commerce, the word extends into emotional and abstract territories. You might hear someone ask about the depth of someone's feelings or the amount of effort required to achieve a goal. In these contexts, the word carries a weight that goes beyond mere numbers, touching upon the qualitative aspects of human experience.

Abstract Usage: When applied to concepts like love, patience, or courage, the question seeks to measure the immeasurable, often leading to philosophical or deeply personal conversations.

Sentence wieviel Geduld muss man als Lehrer haben?

Sentence wieviel Liebe passt in ein einziges Herz?

Ultimately, mastering this specific vocabulary item provides a vital key to unlocking fluency. It bridges the gap between basic survival German—where you simply point and pay—and a more nuanced, conversational proficiency where you can negotiate, inquire, and explore the world around you with confidence and grammatical accuracy. The journey from A1 to C2 relies heavily on understanding not just the translation of a word, but its grammatical behavior, its historical context, and its cultural resonance within the German-speaking world.

Constructing sentences with the German word wieviel requires a solid understanding of German syntax, specifically the rules governing word order in both direct and indirect questions. Because it is an interrogative pronoun, it typically triggers specific structural patterns that differ significantly from declarative statements. In a standard direct question, known in German grammar as a W-Frage (because the question word begins with a W), the interrogative phrase must occupy the first position in the sentence. This is a strict rule in German syntax. The conjugated verb must immediately follow in the second position. This V2 (verb-second) rule is the backbone of German sentence structure. For example, if you want to ask about the price of an item, the question word takes position one, the verb takes position two, and the subject or object follows.

Sentence wieviel Zucker möchtest du in deinem Kaffee?

Direct Question Structure: Position 1: Interrogative Word. Position 2: Conjugated Verb. Position 3: Subject (if not already part of the interrogative phrase). Position 4+: Objects and remaining sentence elements.

The complexity increases when we move from direct questions to indirect questions. Indirect questions are subordinate clauses that are embedded within a main clause. They are often used to make a question sound more polite or formal. For instance, instead of asking bluntly, 'How much does this cost?', you might say, 'Could you tell me how much this costs?'. In German, introducing an indirect question changes the word order dramatically. The conjugated verb is kicked out of its comfortable second position and is sent all the way to the very end of the clause.

Sentence Können Sie mir sagen, wieviel das Ticket nach Berlin kostet?

Indirect Question Structure: Main Clause + Comma + Interrogative Word + Subject + Objects + Conjugated Verb at the absolute end.

Another crucial aspect of using this word in sentences is understanding its relationship with the nouns it modifies. When asking about an uncountable quantity, the noun that follows the interrogative word remains in the singular form. You do not pluralize the noun, nor do you pluralize the interrogative word. It is a direct pairing of a singular concept with a singular question word.

Sentence Ich weiß nicht, wieviel Wasser in den Topf gehört.

Furthermore, there are instances where the interrogative word stands completely alone, acting as a pronoun that replaces the noun entirely. This happens when the context is already established, and repeating the noun would be redundant. For example, if someone offers you coffee, you might simply ask 'How much?' without repeating the word 'coffee'. In German, this functions exactly the same way. The word stands independently, still requiring the verb in the second position for direct questions or at the end for indirect questions.

Sentence Er hat mich gefragt, wieviel ich davon haben möchte.

Standalone Pronoun: When the context is clear, the noun can be omitted, and the interrogative word functions independently to represent the unknown quantity.

Sentence wieviel ist das insgesamt?

Mastering these sentence structures is not just about memorizing rules; it is about developing an intuitive feel for the rhythm of the German language. The movement of the verb to the end of the sentence in indirect questions creates a distinct cadence that is uniquely Germanic. By practicing these patterns repeatedly, learners can transition from translating in their heads to speaking naturally and fluently, ensuring that their inquiries about quantities are both grammatically flawless and contextually appropriate.

The word wieviel is ubiquitous in the German-speaking world, echoing through the streets, markets, offices, and homes of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its primary function as a tool for inquiring about quantities ensures that it is spoken millions of times a day in a vast array of contexts. One of the most common and immediate environments where a language learner will encounter this word is in the realm of commerce and retail. Whether you are navigating the bustling stalls of a traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market), purchasing fresh produce at a local Wochenmarkt (weekly farmer's market), or simply buying a quick snack at a neighborhood Bäckerei (bakery), you will inevitably need to ask about prices.

Sentence Entschuldigung, wieviel macht das zusammen?

Retail Context: In shops and markets, this word is the standard, polite way to initiate a transaction and inquire about the cost of goods or services.

Beyond shopping, the concept of time is another major domain where this word reigns supreme. Germans are culturally renowned for their punctuality and precise time management. Therefore, asking about the time is a frequent necessity. The standard phrase for asking 'What time is it?' directly translates to 'How much clock is it?'. This unique phrasing is a perfect example of how vocabulary intertwines with cultural idioms.

Sentence Können Sie mir bitte sagen, wieviel Uhr es ist?

Time Inquiries: The phrase 'wieviel Uhr' is the most common and standard way to ask for the current time in German, used in both formal and informal settings.

The culinary world is another arena where this vocabulary is essential. German recipes, whether found in a traditional Kochbuch (cookbook) or discussed among friends, rely heavily on precise measurements. When cooking or baking, inquiring about the exact amount of an ingredient—like flour, sugar, or milk—requires the use of this specific interrogative. Because these ingredients are uncountable mass nouns, the singular form is grammatically mandatory.

Sentence Weißt du, wieviel Mehl wir für den Kuchen brauchen?

Furthermore, in professional and academic environments, the word is used to discuss budgets, data, and abstract resources. In a business meeting in Frankfurt, a manager might ask about the budget allocation for a new project. In a university seminar in Heidelberg, a professor might inquire about the amount of research conducted on a specific topic. These contexts elevate the word from a simple transactional tool to a crucial component of complex, professional discourse.

Sentence Wir müssen klären, wieviel Budget noch zur Verfügung steht.

Professional Context: In business, it is used to discuss finances, resources, and time management, often embedded in polite, indirect questions.

Sentence wieviel Erfahrung haben Sie in diesem Bereich?

In summary, this single word permeates almost every aspect of daily life in a German-speaking country. From the mundane task of buying bread to the high-stakes environment of corporate budgeting, the ability to accurately and confidently ask 'how much' is a non-negotiable skill for anyone aiming to integrate into the culture and communicate effectively.

When learning the German word wieviel, English speakers frequently encounter several specific pitfalls that can lead to grammatical errors or misunderstandings. The most prominent and persistent mistake involves the confusion between the singular form, which asks 'how much', and the plural form, 'wie viele', which asks 'how many'. Because English also distinguishes between countable and uncountable nouns, the concept is not entirely foreign, but the execution in German requires strict attention to the ending of the word. A learner might look at a group of people and incorrectly ask 'wieviel Leute sind da?' instead of the correct 'wie viele Leute sind da?'. This error immediately flags the speaker as a novice, as the mismatch between an uncountable question word and a plural, countable noun is jarring to a native ear.

Sentence Ich frage mich, wieviel Geld er verdient hat.

Countable vs Uncountable: Never use the singular form for things you can count individually (like cars, apples, or days). Always use the plural 'wie viele' for those items.

Another significant area of confusion stems from the spelling reform of 1996. As previously mentioned, the official modern spelling separates the word into two distinct parts: 'wie viel'. However, because the older, compounded spelling 'wieviel' is still widely recognized and frequently used by older generations and in classic literature, learners often become confused about which form is correct. While writing it as one word is technically considered outdated according to the strict rules of the Duden (the authoritative German dictionary), it is rarely penalized in informal contexts. However, in formal writing, academic papers, or official language exams like the Goethe-Zertifikat, failing to separate the words could result in a deduction of points.

Sentence Weißt du, wieviel das neue Auto kostet?

Spelling Rules: For modern, formal writing, always use the separated form 'wie viel'. Reserve the compounded form for reading older texts or understanding informal, traditional usage.

Syntax errors in indirect questions represent a third major hurdle. Because English does not drastically alter its word order in indirect questions, English speakers often apply their native syntax to German. They might say, 'Ich weiß nicht, wieviel kostet das', keeping the verb in the second position. This is grammatically incorrect in German. The subordinating nature of the indirect question demands that the conjugated verb be placed at the very end of the clause: 'Ich weiß nicht, wieviel das kostet'. This requires a mental leap and significant practice to overcome the ingrained habits of English sentence structure.

Sentence Er fragt, wieviel Gepäck erlaubt ist.

Verb Placement: In any clause introduced by this interrogative word that is not a direct question, the conjugated verb must be pushed to the final position.

Sentence Sag mir, wieviel ich dir schulde.

Sentence Niemand weiß, wieviel Arbeit das wirklich war.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation, specifically the vowel sounds. The 'ie' in German is pronounced like a long English 'e' (as in 'see'), while the 'i' in 'viel' is also a long 'e' sound. English speakers might accidentally pronounce the 'ie' like the English 'pie', which can cause confusion. Ensuring the correct, elongated vowel sounds is crucial for being understood clearly by native speakers.

While the word wieviel is the most direct and common way to ask 'how much' in German, the language offers a rich tapestry of alternative phrases and similar words that can be used depending on the specific context, the desired level of formality, or the exact nuance the speaker wishes to convey. Understanding these alternatives not only expands a learner's vocabulary but also allows for more precise and expressive communication. One of the most frequent alternatives encountered in everyday commerce is the phrase 'Was kostet...?' (What does... cost?). This phrase completely bypasses the need for a quantity word and directly addresses the price. It is highly idiomatic, extremely common, and often preferred in fast-paced retail environments because it is slightly shorter and more direct.

Sentence wieviel kostet das Brot im Vergleich zu den Brötchen?

Was kostet: A direct alternative for asking about price. 'Was kostet das?' is functionally identical to 'Wieviel kostet das?' but focuses on the 'what' rather than the 'how much'.

When dealing with physical quantities, especially in formal or technical contexts, speakers might use phrases involving the word 'Menge' (quantity or amount). Instead of asking 'how much water', a scientist or engineer might ask 'Welche Menge an Wasser?' (What quantity of water?). This elevates the register of the conversation, making it sound more precise and professional. It shifts the grammatical structure from a simple interrogative pronoun to an interrogative determiner ('welche') modifying a specific noun ('Menge').

Sentence Ich muss wissen, wieviel Material wir bestellen müssen.

Welche Menge: Used in formal, technical, or scientific contexts to ask for a specific, measurable amount. It sounds more analytical than a simple 'how much'.

Another related concept is asking about the degree or extent of something, rather than a physical amount. In English, we might ask 'To what extent?'. In German, this translates to 'Inwiefern?' or 'Wie sehr?'. While these do not replace our target word when asking about money or sugar, they occupy a similar semantic space when asking about abstract concepts. For example, if you want to know how much someone loves something, you could ask 'Wieviel liebst du es?', but a more natural, idiomatic phrasing might be 'Wie sehr liebst du es?' (How very/deeply do you love it?).

Sentence wieviel Einfluss hat er auf die Entscheidung?

Wie sehr: Used to ask about the intensity or degree of an emotion, action, or state, rather than a quantifiable amount. It translates closer to 'how much' in the sense of intensity.

Sentence Kannst du schätzen, wieviel das Haus wert ist?

Sentence Er überlegte, wieviel Risiko er eingehen sollte.

By familiarizing themselves with these alternatives, learners can avoid repetitive language and tailor their speech to the specific situation. Knowing when to use a direct 'Was kostet das?' versus a formal 'Welche Menge benötigen Sie?' demonstrates a higher level of language mastery and cultural awareness, moving beyond basic translation into true fluency.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Könnten Sie mir bitte mitteilen, wieviel Budget für dieses Quartal vorgesehen ist?"

Neutro

"Weißt du, wieviel das Ticket kostet?"

Informal

"Wieviel Kohle hast du noch?"

Child friendly

"Wieviel Taschengeld bekommst du?"

Gíria

"Wieviel Asche willst du dafür?"

Curiosidade

The 1996 spelling reform tried to kill the compounded 'wieviel' by mandating 'wie viel', but the German public resisted so strongly that you still see 'wieviel' everywhere, making it a symbol of linguistic stubbornness.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈviːfiːl/

US /ˈviːfiːl/

The primary stress is usually on the second syllable: wie-VIEL. However, in contrastive contexts, it can shift to the first syllable.

Rima com

Spiel Ziel Stil Profil Exil Ventil mobil stabil

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'w' as an English 'w' (wee-feel). It must be a 'v' sound.
Pronouncing the 'ie' like the English word 'pie'. It must be a long 'e' (ee).
Pronouncing the 'v' in 'viel' as a 'v'. It must be an 'f' sound.
Shortening the vowel sounds. Both syllables have long vowels.
Adding an 'e' at the end when it's not needed, confusing it with 'wie viele'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize, but the spelling variation (wieviel vs wie viel) can cause slight confusion for beginners.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowing the modern spelling rules (wie viel) for formal texts, and understanding the syntax of indirect questions.

Expressão oral 3/5

Pronunciation requires mastering the German 'w' and 'v' sounds. Remembering to use it only for uncountable nouns takes practice.

Audição 3/5

Often spoken very quickly, blending into a single sound 'vifiil', which can be hard to catch in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

wie viel kosten Geld Zeit

Aprenda a seguir

wie viele welche warum wieso weshalb

Avançado

inwiefern der wievielte das Ausmaß die Quantität beziffern

Gramática essencial

W-Fragen (Direct Questions)

Wieviel kostet das Buch? (Verb in position 2)

Indirekte Fragen (Indirect Questions)

Ich weiß nicht, wieviel das Buch kostet. (Verb at the end)

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

Wieviel Wasser (uncountable) vs. Wie viele Äpfel (countable).

Ordinal Numbers from Interrogatives

Den wievielten haben wir heute? (Declension of derived adjective)

Prepositional Adverbs with Interrogatives

Davon hängt ab, wieviel wir verdienen. (Using 'davon' to point to the clause)

Exemplos por nível

Wieviel kostet das Brot?

How much does the bread cost?

Direct question, verb 'kostet' is in the second position.

Wieviel Uhr ist es?

What time is it?

Fixed phrase for asking the time. Literally 'How much clock is it?'.

Wieviel Geld hast du?

How much money do you have?

'Geld' is an uncountable noun, so the singular 'wieviel' is used.

Wieviel macht das zusammen?

How much is that altogether?

Common phrase used at the checkout to ask for the total price.

Wieviel kostet ein Ticket?

How much does a ticket cost?

Basic transactional vocabulary essential for A1 learners.

Wieviel Zeit haben wir?

How much time do we have?

'Zeit' is uncountable, requiring the singular interrogative form.

Wieviel Milch möchtest du?

How much milk would you like?

Used with mass nouns like liquids (Milch).

Wieviel ist das?

How much is that?

Standalone use when the noun is implied by the context.

Weißt du, wieviel das kostet?

Do you know how much that costs?

Indirect question. The verb 'kostet' moves to the end of the sentence.

Wieviel Zucker brauchst du für den Kuchen?

How much sugar do you need for the cake?

Asking about specific quantities of uncountable ingredients.

Ich frage mich, wieviel Zeit noch bleibt.

I wonder how much time is left.

Indirect question embedded after 'Ich frage mich' (I wonder).

Wieviel Gepäck darf ich mitnehmen?

How much luggage am I allowed to take?

'Gepäck' (luggage) is uncountable in German, unlike 'Koffer' (suitcases).

Können Sie mir sagen, wieviel Uhr es ist?

Can you tell me what time it is?

Polite indirect question format, essential for A2 communication.

Wieviel Wasser soll ich trinken?

How much water should I drink?

Using modal verbs (soll) with the interrogative.

Wieviel Platz haben wir im Auto?

How much space do we have in the car?

'Platz' (space/room) is treated as an uncountable concept here.

Er hat nicht gesagt, wieviel er verdient.

He didn't say how much he earns.

Indirect question reporting speech. Verb 'verdient' at the end.

Es hängt davon ab, wieviel Budget wir haben.

It depends on how much budget we have.

Used in a subordinate clause after the prepositional adverb 'davon'.

Wieviel Geduld muss man eigentlich haben?

How much patience does one actually need to have?

Asking about abstract, uncountable concepts like 'Geduld' (patience).

Ich habe vergessen, wieviel Mehl in das Rezept gehört.

I forgot how much flour goes into the recipe.

Complex sentence structure with an indirect question functioning as the object.

Wieviel Wert legst du auf Pünktlichkeit?

How much value do you place on punctuality?

Idiomatic phrase 'Wert legen auf' combined with the interrogative.

Niemand weiß genau, wieviel Schaden der Sturm angerichtet hat.

No one knows exactly how much damage the storm caused.

Using the word in the context of reporting news or events.

Wieviel Erfahrung bringen Sie für diese Position mit?

How much experience do you bring for this position?

Formal register (Sie) discussing abstract qualifications.

Sag mir ehrlich, wieviel dir das bedeutet.

Tell me honestly how much this means to you.

Standalone pronoun use in an indirect question concerning emotions.

Wir müssen berechnen, wieviel Material benötigt wird.

We need to calculate how much material is needed.

Passive voice ('benötigt wird') inside an indirect question clause.

Es ist erstaunlich, wieviel Einfluss die sozialen Medien auf Jugendliche haben.

It is astonishing how much influence social media has on teenagers.

Discussing abstract societal concepts and influence.

Wieviel Verantwortung trägt der Einzelne für den Klimawandel?

How much responsibility does the individual bear for climate change?

High-level vocabulary ('Verantwortung tragen') in a rhetorical context.

Man kann sich kaum vorstellen, wieviel Arbeit in diesem Projekt steckt.

One can hardly imagine how much work went into this project.

Idiomatic expression 'in etwas stecken' (to be put into something).

Unabhängig davon, wieviel es kostet, wir müssen es tun.

Regardless of how much it costs, we have to do it.

Concessive clause structure using 'Unabhängig davon' (regardless of).

Wieviel Wahrheit in seinen Worten lag, wurde erst später klar.

How much truth lay in his words only became clear later.

The indirect question acts as the subject of the main clause.

Sie diskutierten darüber, wieviel Freiraum Kinder brauchen.

They discussed how much freedom children need.

Prepositional object 'darüber' pointing to the indirect question clause.

Wieviel Strom verbraucht dieses Gerät im Standby-Modus?

How much electricity does this device consume in standby mode?

Technical vocabulary ('Strom verbrauchen') in everyday life.

Ich frage mich, wieviel von dieser Geschichte tatsächlich wahr ist.

I wonder how much of this story is actually true.

Using the partitive construction 'wieviel von' (how much of).

Wieviel Leid muss noch geschehen, bis die internationale Gemeinschaft eingreift?

How much suffering must still occur before the international community intervenes?

Rhetorical question using highly emotive, abstract vocabulary ('Leid').

Den wievielten haben wir heute eigentlich?

What is the date today, actually?

Derived ordinal form 'der wievielte' used specifically to ask for the date.

Es lässt sich schwer beziffern, wieviel an kulturellem Erbe verloren ging.

It is difficult to quantify how much cultural heritage was lost.

Academic register using 'beziffern' (to quantify) and partitive 'an'.

Wieviel an Ironie in dieser Aussage mitschwang, entging den meisten Zuhörern.

How much irony resonated in this statement escaped most listeners.

Complex syntax where the interrogative clause is the subject, using 'mitschwingen'.

In älteren Texten findet man oft noch die Zusammenschreibung 'wieviel'.

In older texts, one often still finds the compounded spelling 'wieviel'.

Metalinguistic sentence discussing the spelling of the word itself.

Wieviel ihm diese Geste bedeutete, ließ sich nur an seinem Blick ablesen.

How much this gesture meant to him could only be read in his eyes.

Literary style, using 'sich ablesen lassen' (could be read).

Die Frage ist nicht, ob wir investieren, sondern wieviel.

The question is not whether we invest, but how much.

Elliptical sentence where the verb and object are omitted after 'wieviel'.

Wieviel an Vorwissen wird für dieses Seminar vorausgesetzt?

How much prior knowledge is assumed for this seminar?

Academic context using passive voice and 'Vorwissen' (prior knowledge).

Das Ausmaß der Zerstörung lässt erahnen, wieviel Energie bei der Explosion freigesetzt wurde.

The extent of the destruction gives an idea of how much energy was released in the explosion.

Highly formal, scientific register using complex passive constructions.

Es bleibt die philosophische Frage, wieviel an freiem Willen dem Menschen tatsächlich innewohnt.

The philosophical question remains as to how much free will actually resides within humans.

Philosophical discourse using 'innewohnen' (to reside within).

Der Autor spielt virtuos mit der Frage, wieviel Wahrheit die Fiktion verträgt.

The author plays virtuously with the question of how much truth fiction can tolerate.

Literary criticism context, personifying 'Fiktion'.

Wieviel an rhetorischem Geschick vonnöten ist, um diese Menge zu beruhigen, wird sich zeigen.

How much rhetorical skill is necessary to calm this crowd will become apparent.

Advanced vocabulary ('vonnöten', 'Geschick') in a complex anticipatory structure.

Die Debatte entzündete sich an der Frage des Wieviel, nicht des Ob.

The debate ignited over the question of 'how much', not 'whether'.

Using the word as a nominalized noun ('das Wieviel') to represent the concept of quantity.

Wieviel auch immer er sich bemühte, das Resultat blieb unbefriedigend.

However much he tried, the result remained unsatisfactory.

Concessive construction 'wieviel auch immer' (however much).

In der Metaphysik wird oft hinterfragt, wieviel Realitätsgehalt unseren Wahrnehmungen zukommt.

In metaphysics, it is often questioned how much reality content is attributed to our perceptions.

Highly academic, metaphysical vocabulary ('Realitätsgehalt', 'zukommen').

Es ist eine Frage der Verhältnismäßigkeit, wieviel staatlicher Eingriff in die Privatsphäre tolerierbar ist.

It is a question of proportionality how much state intervention in the private sphere is tolerable.

Legal and political discourse regarding rights and interventions.

Colocações comuns

wieviel Uhr

wieviel Geld

wieviel Zeit

wieviel kostet

wieviel macht das

wieviel Platz

wieviel Wert

wieviel Glück

wieviel Mühe

wieviel Prozent

Frases Comuns

Wieviel Uhr ist es?

Wieviel kostet das?

Wieviel macht das zusammen?

Wieviel Zeit haben wir noch?

Den wievielten haben wir heute?

Wieviel ist dir das wert?

Wieviel darf es sein?

Wieviel hast du getrunken?

Wieviel wiegt das?

Wieviel fehlt noch?

Frequentemente confundido com

wieviel vs wie viele

'Wie viele' is for plural, countable things (how many). 'Wieviel' is for singular, uncountable things (how much).

wieviel vs wie

'Wie' just means 'how'. It does not ask for a quantity unless combined with 'viel'.

wieviel vs wieso

'Wieso' means 'why' or 'how come'. It sounds similar but asks for a reason, not an amount.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Wieviel Wasser den Rhein hinunterfließt"

Used to express that a lot of time will pass before something happens. Similar to 'water under the bridge'.

Bis das Gesetz verabschiedet wird, fließt noch viel Wasser den Rhein hinunter. (Note: uses 'viel', but relates to the concept of 'wieviel').

informal

"Das Wieviel ist entscheidend"

Focusing on the quantity rather than the quality or the fact itself.

Nicht ob wir helfen, sondern das Wieviel ist entscheidend.

formal

"Wieviel auch immer"

Translates to 'however much' or 'no matter how much'. Used to show that the quantity does not change the outcome.

Wieviel auch immer er lernt, er besteht die Prüfung nicht.

neutral

"Um wieviel besser"

Used to emphasize a comparison, meaning 'how much better'.

Um wieviel besser wäre es, wenn wir jetzt anfangen würden!

neutral

"Wieviel Schweiß und Tränen"

A dramatic way to ask or state how much intense effort went into something.

Niemand sieht, wieviel Schweiß und Tränen in diesem Projekt stecken.

dramatic

"Wieviel Herzblut"

Asking or stating how much passion and personal dedication was put into a task.

Man spürt, wieviel Herzblut der Künstler in das Gemälde gesteckt hat.

poetic

"Wieviel auf dem Spiel steht"

Referring to the high stakes of a situation.

Ihm ist nicht klar, wieviel hier auf dem Spiel steht.

serious

"Wieviel man auch tut"

Expressing futility, 'no matter how much one does'.

Wieviel man auch tut, es ist nie genug.

resigned

"Wieviel ist ein Wort wert?"

Questioning the reliability of someone's promises.

Wenn er immer lügt, wieviel ist sein Wort dann noch wert?

philosophical

"Wieviel Leben in der Bude ist"

Colloquial way to ask how lively or busy a place is.

Lass uns mal schauen, wieviel Leben heute Abend in der Bude ist.

slang

Fácil de confundir

wieviel vs wie viele

English speakers often use 'how much' and 'how many' interchangeably in casual speech, leading to mixing up the German equivalents.

'Wieviel' is strictly for uncountable masses (water, money, time). 'Wie viele' is strictly for countable individuals (people, cars, days).

Wieviel Geld hast du? vs. Wie viele Münzen hast du?

wieviel vs viel

Learners sometimes drop the 'wie' and just ask 'Viel kostet das?', which is grammatically incorrect.

'Viel' is a statement of quantity (a lot). 'Wieviel' is the question asking for the quantity.

Das kostet viel. (That costs a lot.) vs. Wieviel kostet das? (How much does that cost?)

wieviel vs was

'Was' means 'what', but in the phrase 'Was kostet das?', it functions similarly to 'Wieviel'.

'Was' asks for the identity of a thing, but idiomatically asks for price with 'kosten'. 'Wieviel' specifically asks for the numerical quantity.

Was ist das? (What is that?) vs. Wieviel ist das? (How much is that?)

wieviel vs welche

'Welche' means 'which', but can be used with 'Menge' to mean 'how much'.

'Welche' requires a noun to modify (Welche Menge). 'Wieviel' can stand alone or modify a noun directly.

Welche Menge Wasser? vs. Wieviel Wasser?

wieviel vs wieweit

Sounds similar and also starts with 'wie'.

'Wieweit' asks about distance or extent (how far). 'Wieviel' asks about quantity.

Wieweit ist es nach Berlin? (How far is it to Berlin?)

Padrões de frases

Wieviel kostet [Nominative Noun]?

Wieviel kostet der Apfel?

Wieviel [Uncountable Noun] hast du?

Wieviel Zeit hast du?

Weißt du, wieviel [Nominative Noun] kostet?

Weißt du, wieviel das Auto kostet?

Wieviel [Uncountable Noun] brauchst du für [Accusative Noun]?

Wieviel Milch brauchst du für den Kaffee?

Können Sie mir sagen, wieviel [Subject] [Verb]?

Können Sie mir sagen, wieviel er verdient?

Es kommt darauf an, wieviel [Subject] [Verb].

Es kommt darauf an, wieviel es regnet.

Unabhängig davon, wieviel [Subject] [Verb], ...

Unabhängig davon, wieviel es kostet, kaufe ich es.

Wieviel an [Dative Noun] [Verb] [Subject]?

Wieviel an Erfahrung wird vorausgesetzt?

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Como usar

frequency

Top 500 most frequent words in spoken German.

Erros comuns

Wieviel Leute sind hier? → Wie viele Leute sind hier?
'Leute' (people) is a plural, countable noun. You must use the plural form 'wie viele' with the 'e' at the end.
Ich weiß nicht wieviel kostet das. → Ich weiß nicht, wieviel das kostet.
In an indirect question, the conjugated verb ('kostet') must be moved to the very end of the sentence. Also, don't forget the comma!
Wieviel ist die Distanz? → Wie weit ist die Distanz?
You cannot use 'wieviel' for distance. You must use 'wie weit' (how far).
Wieviel Uhr haben wir? → Wieviel Uhr ist es? (or: Wie spät ist es?)
While 'Wieviel Uhr haben wir?' is sometimes understood, the grammatically standard and much more common phrase uses 'ist es'.
Ich frage mich wieviel Geld hast du. → Ich frage mich, wieviel Geld du hast.
Again, failure to move the verb to the end in a subordinate clause. 'Hast' must go to the end.

Dicas

Countable vs Uncountable

Always check if you can count the noun on your fingers. If yes, use 'wie viele'. If no (like water, air, money), use 'wieviel'.

The 1996 Reform

In formal writing, always put a space: 'wie viel'. If you write 'wieviel' on a German test, you might lose a point, even though many Germans still write it that way.

Verb Position

In a direct question, the verb is second: 'Wieviel kostet das?'. In an indirect question, the verb is last: 'Ich weiß nicht, wieviel das kostet.'

VEE-FEEL

Never pronounce the 'w' like an English 'w'. Bite your lower lip to make the 'v' sound for the 'w', and use an 'f' sound for the 'v'.

Asking the Time

Memorize 'Wieviel Uhr ist es?' as a single chunk. Don't try to translate it literally, just know it means 'What time is it?'.

Shopping Survival

If you only learn one phrase for visiting Germany, make it 'Wieviel kostet das?'. It will solve 90% of your transactional problems.

Asking the Date

To ask the date, use the special form: 'Den wievielten haben wir heute?'. It's weird, but it's the standard way.

Fast Speech

Natives will say it very fast, sounding like 'vifiil'. Train your ear to catch this rapid double 'ee' sound at the start of questions.

Comma Rules

If you use 'wieviel' to start an indirect question, you MUST put a comma before it. Example: 'Sag mir, wieviel es kostet.'

Use 'Was'

If you are panicking and forget 'wieviel' at the bakery, just point and say 'Was kostet das?'. It works perfectly.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a VEE-hicle (wieviel) that runs on FEELings. You ask: 'VEE-FEEL? How much does it cost to fill up?'

Associação visual

Picture a giant question mark made out of water (uncountable). Next to it is a price tag. The water represents the uncountable nature, and the price tag represents the most common use: asking how much.

Word Web

wieviel kostet (costs) Geld (money) Zeit (time) Uhr (clock/time) wie viele (how many) Menge (quantity) Preis (price)

Desafio

Next time you go to a supermarket, look at three items that are liquids or powders (like milk, flour, sugar) and ask yourself out loud in German: 'Wieviel kostet das?'

Origem da palavra

The word is a direct compound of two older Germanic words: 'wie' (how) and 'viel' (much). 'Wie' comes from Old High German 'hwio', and 'viel' comes from Old High German 'filu'. The compounding into a single word happened naturally over centuries of spoken use.

Significado original: The original meaning has remained entirely consistent: an inquiry into the magnitude, quantity, or extent of something.

Indo-European > Germanic > West Germanic > High German.

Contexto cultural

Do not ask 'Wieviel wiegst du?' (How much do you weigh?) or 'Wieviel verdienst du?' (How much do you earn?) in polite German society. These are considered highly intrusive.

English speakers often struggle with the fact that 'how much' and 'how many' translate to variations of the same root words (wieviel vs wie viele), requiring strict attention to the ending.

The song 'Wieviel Liebe' by German pop artists. Classic literature often uses the old spelling 'wieviel', confusing modern students. The phrase 'Wieviel ist dein Leben wert?' is a common trope in German crime dramas (Tatort).

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Shopping and Retail

Wieviel kostet das?
Wieviel macht das zusammen?
Wieviel darf es sein?
Wieviel Wechselgeld bekomme ich?

Time and Scheduling

Wieviel Uhr ist es?
Wieviel Zeit haben wir?
Wieviel Verspätung hat der Zug?
Wieviel Urlaub hast du?

Cooking and Recipes

Wieviel Mehl brauche ich?
Wieviel Zucker kommt in den Teig?
Wieviel Wasser soll ich kochen?
Wieviel Salz fehlt noch?

Finance and Banking

Wieviel Geld ist auf dem Konto?
Wieviel Zinsen bekomme ich?
Wieviel Kredit brauche ich?
Wieviel Steuern muss ich zahlen?

Emotions and Abstract Concepts

Wieviel Geduld braucht man?
Wieviel Liebe ist genug?
Wieviel Schmerz kannst du ertragen?
Wieviel Hoffnung bleibt uns?

Iniciadores de conversa

"Wieviel Zeit verbringst du normalerweise am Handy?"

"Wieviel Geld würdest du für dein Traumauto ausgeben?"

"Wieviel Kaffee trinkst du an einem normalen Arbeitstag?"

"Wieviel Wert legst du auf gesunde Ernährung?"

"Wieviel Urlaub brauchst du, um dich wirklich zu erholen?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe darüber, wieviel Zeit du gestern mit deinen Hobbys verbracht hast.

Überlege, wieviel Geld du im letzten Monat für unnötige Dinge ausgegeben hast.

Wieviel Geduld hast du in stressigen Situationen? Beschreibe ein Beispiel.

Notiere, wieviel Schlaf du brauchst, um produktiv zu sein.

Wieviel Einfluss haben deine Freunde auf deine Entscheidungen?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Since the 1996 spelling reform, the officially correct spelling is 'wie viel' (two words). However, 'wieviel' was the standard for centuries and is still widely used informally and found in all older literature. For exams, use 'wie viel'.

No. If the noun is plural and countable (like 'Autos' or 'Kinder'), you must use 'wie viele' (how many). 'Wieviel' is only for singular, uncountable nouns (like 'Wasser' or 'Geld').

If you use 'wieviel' in an indirect question (e.g., 'Weißt du, wieviel das kostet?'), it acts as a subordinating conjunction. In German, subordinate clauses always push the conjugated verb to the very end of the sentence.

The standard phrase is 'Wieviel Uhr ist es?'. It literally translates to 'How much clock is it?'. This is a fixed idiom you must memorize.

The 'w' in German is pronounced like an English 'v'. The 'v' in 'viel' is pronounced like an English 'f'. So it sounds like 'VEE-FEEL'.

Yes. If the context is clear, you can just ask 'Wieviel?' or 'Wieviel kostet das?' without repeating the noun. For example, if someone pours you coffee, you can just say 'Wieviel?'.

It is an ordinal number derived from 'wieviel'. It translates roughly to 'the how-manieth' and is used almost exclusively to ask for the date: 'Den wievielten haben wir heute?' (What is the date today?).

Both are perfectly correct and extremely common. 'Was kostet das?' is slightly more colloquial and direct, often used in fast-paced environments like markets. 'Wieviel kostet das?' is standard and slightly more precise.

Only if it is the first word of a sentence. Otherwise, it is written in lowercase. The only exception is if it is used as a noun: 'das Wieviel' (the quantity), which is rare.

No. For distance, you use 'wie weit' (how far). 'Wieviel' is for amounts, prices, and time.