etwas
/ˈɛtvas/
The German word for something is etwas.
etwas is used to refer to an unspecified object.
Meaning: unspecified object (pron)
Which one should you use?
While etwas refers to an unspecified object, its logical opposites in terms of quantity are alles (everything) and nichts (nothing). If you want to imply 'some' in the sense of a significant or measurable amount rather than just an unspecified thing, einiges is often used instead of etwas.
How does it change in a sentence?
etwas is indeclinable, meaning it does not change its form based on grammatical case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɛtvas/
Did you know?
- The first part of the Old High German root for etwas may be related to the Proto-Germanic word for 'or', which is the ancestor of the modern German word oder.
- In casual spoken German, you will often hear people shorten etwas to just was, even when they do not mean to ask a question. For example, instead of saying 'I have something', someone might say 'Ich habe was'.
- The word etwas can function as an adverb meaning 'a bit' or 'slightly'. In this context, it modifies an adjective, such as saying something is etwas teuer to mean it is 'a bit expensive'.
Examples in context
- Wer tut so etwas?Who does something like that?This sentence shows how to use etwas when asking about an action like that.Tatoeba #1706466 by al_ex_an_der, translation #11948938 by sundown
- Tom gab mir etwas.Tom gave me something.This sentence demonstrates how to use etwas as an object being given.Tatoeba #8328753 by MisterTrouser, translation #2547027 by CK
- Ich muss etwas tun.I have to do something.This sentence shows how to use etwas to express the need to perform an action.Tatoeba #580799 by jakov, translation #25238 by CK
- Guten Tag! Wie geht es Ihnen?Good day! How are you?
- Hallo! Wie geht es dir?Hello! How are you?
- Entschuldigen Sie, können Sie mir bitte den Weg zum Bahnhof erklären?Excuse me, could you please explain the way to the train station?
- Grüezi!Hello!
- Wie goht's?How are you?
- 3683 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are in the kitchen.
- HannahHast du etwas zu essen?Do you have something to eat?
- MaximilianJa, ich habe etwas im Kühlschrank.Yes, I have something in the fridge.
- HannahWas ist es genau?What is it exactly?
- MaximilianIch glaube, es ist etwas Süßes.I think it is something sweet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “something” translations and entries etwas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries etwas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
