Translation of German word "eigentlich" to English
eigentlich
/ˈaɪçtnɪç/
Meaning
VerbIn act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
How to use
The word eigentlich functions as an adverb/particle meaning 'actually / in fact / by the way / really' (Was willst du eigentlich? — What do you actually want?), or as an adjective meaning 'actual / real'. Note: the source metadata mistakenly lists this as a verb, which is a major error; it is an adverb/adjective.
🇬🇧 English
actually
Example
Sie ist eigentlich sehr freundlich.
She's actually very friendly.
Seine Versprechen entsprachen nicht dem, was er tatsächlich tat.
His promises did not match what he actually did.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- eigentlich nicht— not really / not actually
- der eigentliche Grund— the actual / real reason
- Was ist eigentlich passiert?— What actually happened?
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #117 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "eigentlich"?▼
The German word "eigentlich" is defined as: "In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively."
What does the German word "eigentlich" mean?▼
The German word "eigentlich" means "actually" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "eigentlich"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "eigentlich" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "eigentlich"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Sie ist eigentlich sehr freundlich." (which translates as "She's actually very friendly.").
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