Zeitliche

Zeitliche is a German adjective meaning temporal or time-related. It is used to describe nouns in relation to time or temporal aspects. For example, die zeitliche Entwicklung refers to the temporal development, die zeitliche Abfolge der Ereignisse to the temporal sequence of events, and zeitliche Begrenzung to a time limitation. The ending of zeitliche changes with the article and case: after a definite article in feminine singular you typically have die zeitliche Entwicklung; in plural die zeitlichen Entwicklungen; with an indefinite article, eine zeitliche Entwicklung is common. In neuter usage you can also see das zeitliche Maß or ähnliche compounds.

As an adverb, zeitlich means temporally or in terms of time: Die Ereignisse wurden zeitlich sortiert oder die Daten wurden zeitlich geordnet. This form is used to describe how something relates to time rather than describing a noun directly.

Etymology and related terms: zeitliche derives from Zeit (time) plus the suffix -lich, which forms adjectives meaning characteristic of. The corresponding noun form Zeitlichkeit denotes temporality, or the temporal nature of phenomena. In philosophy and the humanities, Zeitlichkeit is a central concept for discussing how experiences and events are situated in time. Related terms include chronologisch, which refers specifically to chronological order in time, and zeitlich als Gegensatz zu räumlich (spatial) in discussions of how aspects of experience are organized in time versus space.

In sum, zeitliche functions as a versatile German adjective and, in its adverbial form zeitlich, as a useful term across linguistics, philosophy, and everyday discourse to denote time-related aspects.