beziehungsweise

Beziehungsweise is a German adverb and conjunction used to indicate a relation between terms, or to clarify and narrow a statement. In English, it is often translated as “respectively,” or used like “or rather” or “that is to say.” Its primary function is to refine, specify, or relate two or more items within a sentence, rather than to introduce a new independent clause.

Usage and nuances

Beziehungsweise frequently appears in lists or pairings, often written as A bzw. B. Depending on context, this can mean “A or B” (a choice or alternative) or “A and B” in corresponding order. It is also used to provide clarification: A bzw. B can correspond to a more precise term or explanation, similar to “i.e.” or “that is to say.” The abbreviation in everyday and formal writing is bzw. and is widely seen in forms, contracts, and articles. Examples include: “Die Kosten betragen 1000 EUR bzw. 1200 EUR,” meaning the amounts are 1000 or 1200 euros; or “Deutschland bzw. Österreich gilt die Regel,” meaning the rule applies to Germany and/or Austria.

Etymology and usage context

Beziehungsweise derives from the idea of “in Bezug auf” or “in relation to.” It signals a relationship or specification rather than introducing a wholly new idea. It is commonly used across formal and informal registers in German, including journalism, legal texts, and administrative language.

See also

Bezeichnungen and abbreviations: bzw. is the common abbreviated form. In translation, beziehungsweise is context-dependent and often maps to respectively, i.e., or or.