Teilweise

Teilweise is a German adverb meaning partly or partially. It signals that a statement, condition, or quality applies only to a portion of a whole, or to a limited extent. It is neutral in tone and commonly appears in journalism, academic writing, and everyday speech. Examples include: Die Ergebnisse sind teilweise überraschend (The results are partly surprising) and Teilweise hat er recht (Partially he is right).

Usage notes: Teilweise can modify adjectives, verbs, or entire clauses and can appear at different positions in a sentence. It is often roughly interchangeable with teils or zum Teil, but teilweise tends to be slightly more formal or precise. It is used to soften claims or to acknowledge complexity rather than to insist on a partial truth.

Origin and related terms: The word combines Teil (part) and Weise (manner), literally “in a part manner.” Related expressions include teils and zum Teil; these phrases emphasize partial extent but carry subtle differences in register or emphasis. In contrast, words like gänzlich or vollständig express completeness, while vollständig would be the opposite of teilweise in many contexts.

In usage, teilweise helps convey nuance by indicating that a statement, finding, or condition is not wholly applicable. It is a versatile term for presenting partial truths, partial compliance, or partial applicability without asserting absolutes.