adjective
absolutely, necessarily
A2
Unbedingt means absolutely, definitely, or necessarily, used to express strong necessity or insistence. It’s an adverb (or ungradable adjective-like adverb) and not comparative. Opposition: bedingt. Use in phrases like „du musst unbedingt kommen“ (you must absolutely come). No auxiliary or preposition requirements.
Examples
Du musst unbedingt kommen.
You absolutely must come.
Der Student wollte unbedingt bestehen, sodass er jede freie Minute zum Lernen nutzte.
The student was determined to pass, so he used every free minute for studying.
Das ist nicht unbedingt teuer.
That is not necessarily expensive.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a red alarm sign with the word 'must' stamped on it — something that cannot be avoided.
Think 'un-bend-it' — imagine you must 'un-bend it' without fail.
Notes
Used to emphasize necessity or inevitability. In negative contexts (nicht unbedingt) it often means 'not necessarily'. Common in everyday speech; not gradable like typical adjectives.