The suffix -lei is used to create words that express types, kinds, or varieties of something, often implying a general assortment or collection within a category. This suffix adds a sense of “all sorts of” or “different kinds of” when attached to a noun. Unlike in English, where we often need phrases like “types of” or “kinds of” to get this meaning, German uses -lei to convey it in a single word. The origins of -lei trace back to Old High German, where it served a similar purpose of generalizing or categorizing.
One of the most versatile examples is allerei, formed from all (meaning “all” or “every”). With -lei attached, it becomes allerlei, meaning “all kinds of” or “a variety of.” You might hear this word in contexts where someone is describing a mixed assortment, like allerlei Obst (all kinds of fruit) or allerlei Leute (all kinds of people). Allerlei makes it easy to speak about a diverse group without needing to specify each item.
Another common example is keinerlei, combining kein (meaning “none”) with -lei. This results in keinerlei, meaning “no kind of” or “not at all.” It’s often used to emphasize the complete absence of something, like in keinerlei Interesse (no kind of interest) or keinerlei Hilfe (no help of any kind). Keinerlei has a strong, definite tone, underlining that there is absolutely nothing in that category.
Verschiedenlei, from verschieden (meaning “different”), is another useful example. Adding -lei gives us verschiedenlei, meaning “different kinds of” or “various types of.” This word might come up when talking about a variety within a group, such as verschiedenlei Farben (various kinds of colors) or verschiedenlei Probleme (different types of problems). It emphasizes that there are multiple types of items or situations, creating a sense of variety within a category.
A similar example is vielerlei, which combines viel (meaning “many”) with -lei, resulting in vielerlei, meaning “many kinds of” or “various.” This term is useful for describing a range of things, like vielerlei Möglichkeiten (many kinds of possibilities) or vielerlei Gerichte (various kinds of dishes). It suggests that there are numerous different types within the category, adding a layer of richness and complexity to the description.
Another word, einerlei, comes from ein (meaning “one” or “the same”). With -lei added, einerlei takes on the meaning of “the same kind” or “all the same.” It’s used to express monotony or uniformity, as in Das ist mir einerlei (It’s all the same to me) or Immer das einerlei (always the same thing). Einerlei emphasizes a lack of variety or a uniform quality, contrasting with words like allerlei or verschiedenlei, which suggest diversity.
In Spielerei, we see another angle of -lei in action. Spiel means “game” or “play,” but with the suffix -erei, it turns into Spielerei, which refers to “playing around” or something done in a lighthearted, unserious way. It suggests fooling around or experimenting without a clear purpose, like in the phrase Das ist nur Spielerei (That’s just fooling around). The -ei ending here adds a playful, experimental tone, as if referring to something that has the qualities of play or experimentation.