June 23, 2020
"eigentlich" in German
I have seen in quite a few posts of English speakers that "eigentlich" is used in a place where it does not make any sense. It seems that many learners think that it's the German equivalent of "actually" but this is not correct.
So, I dedicate a contribution to this magic word, and in the future I can link it in corrections where I see this misunderstanding.
We use "eigentlich" in situations where we want to express that what we are saying is not the absolute conclusion and that there are second thoughts about it. Typically, it is followed by a statement that contrasts what we have said. But we can omit this statement and leave it to the conversation partner to interpret it.
For example:
Eigentlich regnet es, aber wir können trotzdem spazieren gehen.
It is raining, then again, it's not that bad and we can go for a walk.
Ich habe heute eigentlich einen freien Tag, aber du (=a co-worker) kannst mich trotzdem anrufen.
I have a free day today, but I am willing to make an exception for you and I will answer your phone call if any.
In a negotiation, we might say:
Ich kann Ihren Vorschlag eigentlich nicht akzeptieren.
I can't accept your proposal, but I am willing to negotiate.
Students are discouraged to use "eigentlich" when they answer the professor's questions, as it might be interpreted as a sign that they are not sure about the answer they gave.
It can also serve as an adjective:
Chinesische Verhandler sind bekannt dafür, dass sie lange über Nebensächlichkeiten sprechen, während das eigentliche Verhandlungsziel ein ganz anderes ist.
Chinese negotiators are known for talking a long time about neglibilities, whereas they have a different and undisclosed negotiation target.
"eigentlich" can also be used when we suddently bring up an unrelated topic:
Bist du eigentlich mit den Katzen beim Tierarzt gewesen?
I completely forgot the issue that you wanted to go to the vet with the cats, have you done it?
Wo warst du eigentlich gestern?
We were missing you yesterday, where did you go?
If non-native speakers can use "eigentlich" in a natural way, it means that their German is on a very advanced level.
I hope this helps. Happy studying!
I have seen in quite a few posts ofrom/by English speakers that "eigentlich" is used in a place where it does not make any sense.
"of" is fine and native speakers would understand it, but "from" or "by" sounds better to me.
I have a free day today off, but I am willing to make an exception for you and I will answer your phone call if any.
Again, I would understand you, but I would say one of these phrases: "I have today off", "I have the day off", or "Today is my day off".
"eigentlich" can also be used when we suddently bring up an unrelated topic:
I completely forgot the issue that you wanted to go to the vet withtake the cats to the catsvet, have you dgone iyet?
To me, your sentence sounds like you and the cats are going somewhere for the same thing. For example, I'm going to the movies with my friends, but I wouldn't go to the vet with the cats - they hate the vet and I don't need shots or an examination.
Feedback
Fascinating post on how to use eigentlich! I'm a native English speaker studying German. Perfect timing!
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"eigentlich" can also be used when we suddently bring up an unrelated topic: "eigentlich" can also be used when we sudden |
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Bist du eigentlich mit den Katzen beim Tierarzt gewesen? |
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"eigentlich" in German |
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I have seen in quite a few posts of English speakers that "eigentlich" is used in a place where it does not make any sense. I have seen in quite a few posts "of" is fine and native speakers would understand it, but "from" or "by" sounds better to me. |
|
It seems that many learners think that it's the German equivalent of "actually" but this is not correct. |
|
So, I dedicate a contribution to this magic word, and in the future I can link it in corrections where I see this misunderstanding. |
|
We use "eigentlich" in situations where we want to express that what we are saying is not the absolute conclusion and that there are second thoughts about it. |
|
Typically, it is followed by a statement that contrasts what we have said. |
|
But we can omit this statement and leave it to the conversation partner to interpret it. |
|
For example: |
|
Eigentlich regnet es, aber wir können trotzdem spazieren gehen. |
|
It is raining, then again, it's not that bad and we can go for a walk. |
|
Ich habe heute eigentlich einen freien Tag, aber du (=a co-worker) kannst mich trotzdem anrufen. |
|
I have a free day today, but I am willing to make an exception for you and I will answer your phone call if any. I have Again, I would understand you, but I would say one of these phrases: "I have today off", "I have the day off", or "Today is my day off". |
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In a negotiation, we might say: |
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Ich kann Ihren Vorschlag eigentlich nicht akzeptieren. |
|
I can't accept your proposal, but I am willing to negotiate. |
|
Students are discouraged to use "eigentlich" when they answer the professor's questions, as it might be interpreted as a sign that they are not sure about the answer they gave. |
|
It can also serve as an adjective: |
|
Chinesische Verhandler sind bekannt dafür, dass sie lange über Nebensächlichkeiten sprechen, während das eigentliche Verhandlunsziel ein ganz anderes ist. |
|
Chinese negotiators are known for talking a long time about neglibilities, whereas they have a different and undisclosed negotiation target. |
|
I completely forgot the issue that you wanted to go to the vet with the cats, have you done it? I completely forgot To me, your sentence sounds like you and the cats are going somewhere for the same thing. For example, I'm going to the movies with my friends, but I wouldn't go to the vet with the cats - they hate the vet and I don't need shots or an examination. |
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Wo warst du eigentlich gestern? |
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We were missing you yesterday, where did you go? |
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If non-native speakers can use "eigentlich" in a natural way, it means that their German is on a very advanced level. |
|
I hope this helps. |
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Happy studying! |
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Chinesische Verhandler sind bekannt dafür, dass sie lange über Nebensächlichkeiten sprechen, während das eigentliche Verhandlungsziel ein ganz anderes ist. |
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