No. 586 in German
beziehungsweise
"Respectively" or "or rather," depending on context.
In a sentence
Ich mag Katzen beziehungsweise Tiere im Allgemeinen.
I like cats or rather animals in general.
Here 'beziehungsweise' is used to clarify or specify the initial statement, shifting the focus from 'cats' to 'animals in general'.
Bitte bringen Sie mir ein Glas Wasser beziehungsweise Saft, wenn es möglich ist.
Please bring me a glass of water or alternatively juice if possible.
In this case, 'beziehungsweise' offers an alternative option to the requested item.
Ich habe gestern Peter, beziehungsweise einen Freund von ihm, getroffen.
Yesterday, I met Peter, or rather a friend of his.
Here 'beziehungsweise' refines or corrects the statement, indicating that the meeting was with a friend of Peter instead of Peter himself.
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