Logo

What is the difference between "eher" and " lieber" in German? Are the two synonyms? If yes, then which one is the most used?

13.06.2025 08:33

What is the difference between "eher" and " lieber" in German? Are the two synonyms? If yes, then which one is the most used?

eher is a fillword .. used in many situations. Originally it means: in an earlier time, before doing the thing you proposed — I do another (stupid) thing

Da würde ich ja eher nackt die Straße runter laufen als mit dir zu schlafen.

Ich würde lieber mit Toni ausgehen als mit dir Shopping. (you would not say: Ich würde lieber nackt die Straße runter laufen … because you not plan it to do at all — not even on a later time)

What does the stink of the skunk look like? Why would it be dangerous?

lieber is more specific: I love it more .. I want it better

Example:

You cannot really say what is used more. As in other languages the “love” word is used a lot and also all derived words. But fillwords are also used a lot.

How did a computer scientist such as Geoffrey Hinton manage to win a Nobel Prize in physics when computer science already has its own Nobel Prize equivalent in the Turing Awards?