German · Emotions & Descriptions
"Same" in German: gleich
gleich
Note: also: derselbe / dieselbe / dasselbe
Same in German is often gleich. Say Wir nehmen das Gleiche or zur gleichen Zeit. Derselbe / dieselbe marks the exact same item, but the headword here is gleich.
Ordering drinks
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How to pronounce gleich
Say it
GLYKH
/ɡlaɪ̯ç/
GLYKH. Soft ach-sound after ei; short word.
"Same" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| gleich | same / equal / soon Core adjective/adverb. | Core adjective/adverb. |
| das Gleiche | the same (thing) Ordering the same. | Ordering the same. |
| zur gleichen Zeit | at the same time Scheduling. | Scheduling. |
| gleich groß | the same size Comparison. | Comparison. |
How to use gleich in real life
- 1Ordering drinks
Ich nehme das Gleiche wie du.
I'll take the same as you.
Das Gleiche.
- 2Comparing sizes
Die Schuhe sind gleich groß.
The shoes are the same size.
Gleich + adjective.
- 3Meeting times
Wir starten zur gleichen Minute.
We start at the same minute.
Zur gleichen…
Mistakes English speakers make with gleich
Incorrect: Wir nehmen denselben (only, when you mean 'the same kind').
Correct: Wir nehmen das Gleiche.
Prefer gleich / das Gleiche for this headword; derselbe is a different word.
Incorrect: gleicher Zeit
Correct: zur gleichen Zeit
Keep the full phrase zur gleichen Zeit.
Good to know
Gleich also means in a moment (Ich komme gleich), so tone and context matter. For identical coffee orders, das Gleiche bitte is café shorthand. Keep derselbe for the exact same physical object when that contrast matters.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing lunch specials
ChatPal
Willst du das Gleiche wie gestern?
Do you want the same as yesterday?
You
Ja — gleich scharf bitte.
Yes — the same level of spicy, please.
ChatPal
Gut. Dann bestellen wir zur gleichen Zeit.
Good. Then we'll order at the same time.
You
Perfekt. Gleiches Ritual, neuer Tag.
Perfect. Same ritual, new day.
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Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Same" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Same" in German
How do you say same?
Often gleich or das Gleiche.
Same as you?
Das Gleiche wie du.
At the same time?
Zur gleichen Zeit.
Is derselbe the same word?
Related idea, different word — headword is gleich.
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- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
