weiter

Weiter is a German word with several related uses. It is derived from the adjective weit and functions as an adverb, a prefix in compounds, and, in nominalized forms, a noun.

As an adverb or particle, weiter indicates continuation or extension: “Wir fahren weiter” (we will continue driving); “Wie geht es weiter?” (What happens next?); “Mach weiter!” (Keep going!).

It also serves as the comparative form of weit: weiter means “further” or “more distant,” depending on context. Examples: “Der Weg ist weiter als gedacht” or “weiter entfernt.”

As a prefix, weiter- attaches to verbs to express continuation or progression: “weitergehen” (to go on), “weiterlesen” (to read on), “weiterentwickeln” (to develop further). In finite clauses the prefix often splits: “Wir gehen weiter” or “Ich lese das Buch weiter.”

In nouns, compounds such as “das Weitersagen” (the telling to others) and “das Weiterkommen” (progress) are common; and user interfaces frequently use “Weiter” on buttons to mean “Next” or “Continue.”

Etymology: The word comes from weit, meaning far, and developed into multiple uses in modern German, including as a standalone adverb, as a productive prefix in many compound verbs, and in nominalized forms describing continuation or progression.