wieder

Wieder is a high-frequency German adverb meaning "again" or "once more," and also conveys return to a previous state, as in "Ich bin wieder gesund" (I am healthy again). It is used to indicate repetition, renewal, or a change back to a former condition, and is a common marker of time and sequence in both speech and writing.

It also functions as a productive prefix in many compound words that express repetition or restoration, such as Wiederholung (repetition), Wiederherstellung (restoration), Wiederaufleben (revival), and verbs such as wiedersehen (to see again) and wiederholen (to repeat). The prefix Wieder- can attach to a wide range of stems to form new terms related to recurrence or return.

Etymology traces Wieder to older Germanic elements connected with returning or going back; in modern German, it acquires the broad sense of "again." The prefix Wieder- forms a large family of words used to describe repetition or recovery, and its productivity allows speakers to coin terms aligned with contemporary needs.

Distinguish Wieder from wider. Wider with one d is a separate word meaning "against" and appears in expressions like wider Erwarten ("contrary to expectations") or in legal and formal contexts. The two words are not interchangeable, though they are sometimes confused due to similar spelling.

Usage notes: Wieder appears in various sentence positions depending on emphasis and style. It commonly accompanies verbs to indicate repetition or return, and is frequent in compound nouns and verbs such as Wiederholung, Wiedersehen, Wiederholung, and Wiederherstellung. Notable phrases include "noch mal wieder" and "nicht schon wieder!" to express recurrence or frustration with repetition.