zweibändig

Zweibändig is a German adjective used to describe a work that is published or issued in two volumes (Bände). The form is built from zwei, meaning two, and Bänd(e), meaning volume or binding; the suffix -ig marks a characteristic. In library catalogs and bibliographies, you will often encounter phrases such as zweibändige Ausgabe or ein Werk in zwei Bänden to indicate the physical form rather than content. The two volumes may be bound together or sold separately, and each volume typically has its own title page and sometimes its own pagination, though pagination can also be continuous across volumes.

Zweibändig contrasts with einbändig (one volume) and mehrbändig (three or more volumes). The term is commonly used for long novels, reference works, or comprehensive studies where a single-volume edition would be impractically large. In modern publishing, publishers may describe a two-volume edition to manage production costs or to facilitate handling, but the designation remains a descriptive category rather than a normative judgment about quality.

In bibliographic records, the designation zweibändig helps readers and librarians identify the edition and physical format, and it may influence shelving or cataloging practices. The corresponding noun form is Zweibändigkeit, though less common in everyday usage.