verschieden

Verschieden is a German adjective meaning "different" or "various." It describes things that are not the same or that come in several kinds. It is commonly used with plural nouns to indicate variety, as in verschiedene Arten von Obst or verschiedene Gründe. In predicative position after sein or bleiben, it often appears without an ending: Die Meinungen sind verschieden.

Declension and usage: In attributive position, the adjective is declined according to gender, number, and case. Examples include verschiedene Arten (plural), verschiedene Gründe (plural), ein verschiedenes Problem (neuter singular), eine verschiedene Idee (feminine singular). With a definite article or other determiner, endings reflect the grammar; with no determiner, strong inflection is typically used (verschiedene Arten, verschiedene Gründe).

Nuance and related terms: Verschieden describes items that are not identical and belong to a set of different kinds. It is closely related to, but sometimes less forceful than, unterschiedlich, which emphasizes the nature of the differences themselves. Vielfältig conveys richness and variety rather than simply non-identity, whileDivers and Diversität are more general terms for multiplicity.

Etymology and noun form: Verschieden derives from ver- plus scheiden, from Old High German and Middle High German roots meaning to separate or distinguish. The corresponding noun Verschiedenheit means "difference" or "diversity," used in more formal or written contexts.

See also: Unterschiede, Diversität, Unterschiedlichkeit.