desto

the (more/less) — correlative in 'the … the …' constructions

particle DES-to Rare

Usage Note

Desto only appears as the second element of a correlative comparative: je mehr … desto besser ('the more … the better'). It cannot stand alone and is not interchangeable with umso in all registers, though the two are broadly synonymous in modern German.

Examples

"Je länger man wartet, desto schwieriger wird es."

Natural Translation

The longer you wait, the harder it gets.

Literal Translation

The longer one waits, the harder becomes it.

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