ewiger

Ewiger is a German adjective meaning eternal or everlasting. It describes something without end or lasting indefinitely and is used in religious, philosophical, and literary language. Common phrases include das ewige Leben (eternal life), der ewige Frieden (the eternal peace), and ein ewiger Traum (an eternal dream). The term contrasts with short-lived or finite concepts, and the plain form ewig is more general, while ewiger inflects to agree with gender, case, and number (der ewige Frieden, das ewige Leben, ein ewiger Traum).

Etymology and related terms: Ewiger derives from the older Germanic roots behind ewigkeit, with the root meaning lasting or age-long. It is linked to the Proto-Germanic word *aiwaz and to the English word ever. The corresponding noun Ewigkeit denotes eternity or timelessness.

Special uses and nuance: In religious or literary contexts, a capitalized form such as Der Ewige can function as an epithet meaning "the Eternal" and is sometimes used to refer to God or a transcendent force. The well-known Kantian phrase Zum ewigen Frieden (Toward Perpetual Peace) reflects usage in philosophical literature. In everyday language, ewiger mainly appears as an ordinary adjective describing enduring qualities, rather than as a proper name.

See also: Ewigkeit, the noun for eternity; ewig, the adverbial or adjectival form used in broader contexts.