wirklich

adjective
really, real
A2

Wirklich is an adverb and sometimes adjective meaning 'really' (intensifier) or 'real' (actual). Use: Das ist wirklich gut (really good). It is gradable: comparative wirklicher, superlative am wirklichsten. Antonym unwirklich. Not a participle; when adjectival it inflects for gender, number and case.

Examples

Er suchte nach dem wirklichen Grund.
He was looking for the real reason.
Das ist wirklich interessant.
That's really interesting.
Der Bericht war wirklich hilfreich, obwohl noch einige Daten fehlten und man weitere Untersuchungen geplant hatte.
The report was really helpful, although some data were still missing and further investigations had been planned.

Details

GradableYes
Comparativewirklicher
Superlativeam wirklichsten
ParticipleNo

Mnemonics

👁️Imagine a stamp that says 'REAL' over a document — that confirms it's wirklich (real/really).
👂Sounds like 'wirk-lich' — 'wirk' like 'work' + 'lich' like 'lick' — think of something that truly 'works' as real.

Notes

Wirklich is commonly used as an adverb ('really') and as an adjective ('real'). Context determines the meaning.

Category

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