so viel
/zoː fiːl/word by word
The English phrase "so much" is translated into German as so viel.
so viel is used as an adverb to indicate a certain degree or extent.
Meaning: to a certain degree or extent (adv)
Which one should you use?
There are specific distinctions to keep in mind based on what you are describing. Use so viele when referring to plural countable nouns (for example, so viele Menschen for "so many people"). If you mean "so much" in the sense of a variety of different things or many different topics, use so vieles. If you are describing the intensity of an action or a feeling rather than a quantity, use so sehr instead of so viel.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to plural countable nouns, the form changes to so viele. When referring to a wide variety of many different things rather than a single mass quantity, use so vieles.
How do you pronounce it?
/zoː fiːl/
Did you know?
- The word viel can be used in the phrase viel Glück, which is the standard way to say 'good luck', even though it literally translates to 'much luck'.
- The German word viel shares a prehistoric root with the English word 'full'. Both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *pleh₁-, which relates to filling a space.
- In casual German speech, you might hear so viel replaced by mega or extrem to emphasize a large amount, reflecting a modern trend of using intensifying adjectives as adverbs.
Examples in context
- Warum so viel Hass?Why so much hate?This sentence shows how to use so viel to ask about a quantity of hate.Tatoeba #796914 by Esperantostern, translation #838760 by Scott
- Nicht so viel Salz!Not so much salt!This sentence demonstrates using so viel with a food item.Tatoeba #6582121 by manese, translation #6580859 by Eccles17
- Trink nicht so viel!Do not drink so much!This sentence shows the use of so viel regarding a quantity of a liquid consumed.Tatoeba #4773801 by Germic, translation #4865068 by Muelisto
- Ich habe sehr viel Mühe in dieses Projekt gesteckt.I put so much effort into this project.
- Wir hatten richtig viel Spaß auf der Party!We had so much fun at the party!
- Ich habe wahnsinnig viel Arbeit zu erledigen.I have an insane amount of work to do.
- Ich habe sehr viel über Deutschland gelesen, bevor ich hierher gereist bin.I read so much about Germany before traveling here.
- Diese Pizza hat voll viel Käse drauf – genau wie ich es mag.This pizza has so much cheese on it – just the way I like it.
- 332 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are talking about their recent workload at the office.
- JulianIch habe heute so viel Arbeit.I have so much work today.
- JuliaMusst du wirklich so viel machen?Do you really have to do so much?
- JulianJa, das Projekt ist sehr groß.Yes, the project is very large.
- JuliaDann ruh dich später aus.Then rest later.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (so, viel) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries so, viel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
