Skip to content

gelegentlich

occasional

adjective adverb ge-LAY-gent-likh Less Common
Time Time Expressions

Also means

occasionally

Usage Note

gelegentlich works both as an adjective ('occasional') and an adverb ('now and then'). It is built on Gelegenheit ('opportunity, occasion'). As a preposition with the genitive it can also mean 'on the occasion of', as in gelegentlich seines Besuchs.

Examples

"Wir treffen uns nur gelegentlich."

Natural Translation

We meet only occasionally.

Literal Translation

We meet us only occasionally.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore German by topic