Immer vs. stets
The German words immer and stets both translate to always in English, but they have subtle differences in usage and connotation.
Immer
A1Immer is the more common and versatile word for always. It is used in everyday language and can refer to continuous or repeated actions.
Ich esse immer Frühstück.
(I always eat breakfast.)
Sie ist immer pünktlich.
(She is always on time.)
Das Wetter wird immer schlechter.
(The weather is always getting worse.)
Stets
B1Stets is more formal and literary. It implies consistency and reliability, often used in more serious or official contexts.
Er war stets ein treuer Freund.
(He was always a loyal friend.)
Die Firma ist stets bemüht, die besten Produkte zu liefern.
(The company always strives to deliver the best products.)
Bitte halten Sie sich stets an die Vorschriften.
(Please always adhere to the regulations.)
Summary
While immer is more common and versatile, suitable for everyday use, stets carries a more formal tone and implies consistency. Immer can be used in casual conversations and various contexts, whereas stets is often found in more serious or official language.