Bisweilen

Bisweilen is a German adverb meaning "from time to time" or "sometimes." It is primarily found in written and formal contexts; in everyday spoken German it is relatively uncommon and may sound archaic or literary. Common synonyms are gelegentlich, manchmal, ab und zu, zeitweise.

Etymology: The word is formed from bis (until, to) and weilen (to tarry, linger); literally, it evokes lingering until a point. It dates from the early modern period and has been preserved in prose and poetry, often conveying a reflective or descriptive tone.

Usage: Bisweilen is used to indicate infrequent occurrences or interruptions in narrative or description. It is typically considered elevated or old-fashioned in modern speech and is more likely to appear in literature, journalistic prose, or historical writing than in casual conversation.

Examples:

- Bisweilen muss man sich fragen, ob der Weg der richtige ist.

- Die Stille der Nacht war bisweilen erdrückend, doch dann brach ein leises Geräusch die Dunkelheit.

- Bisweilen scheinen die Dinge kompliziert, doch mit Geduld klären sie sich.

See also: gelegentlich, manchmal, zeitweise, weilen. Bisweilen shares a semantic field with these terms but carries a more formal, literary nuance and a hint of antiquarian tone for contemporary readers.