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

12.06.2025 07:23

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

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.

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

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

My waist finally looks like how it did before I had kids but I didn’t lose weight. Why am I still 15 lbs from my starting weight?

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)

Example:

Why were the Japanese soldiers in WW II so hesitant to surrender in battle?