buchstäblich
literally
Es beschreibt etwas, das genau so gemeint ist, wie es gesagt wird, ohne Übertreibung oder Bildsprache.
Definition & meaning
buchstäblich means literally: exactly as the words state, rather than figuratively.
- Das ist buchstäblich gemeint. — That is meant literally.
- Er nahm ihre Worte buchstäblich. — He took her words literally.
It can also mean to the letter, emphasizing strict adherence to a rule or instruction.
Grammar & Word origin
buchstäblich is an adjective and adverb. It comes from Buchstabe (“letter of the alphabet”) and the suffix -lich, originally conveying the sense “according to the letters.”
Synonyms & antonyms
- wörtlich — “literal” or “word for word”; often emphasizes the exact wording.
- wortwörtlich — “word for word”; stresses exact reproduction of the words.
- sinngemäß — “in substance” or “according to the meaning”; contrasts with a word-for-word rendering.
- bildlich — “figuratively”; contrasts with a literal interpretation.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Er nimmt alles buchstäblich.adverb
He takes everything literally.
Die Anweisung war buchstäblich zu verstehen, sonst hätte er einen Fehler gemacht.adverb
The instruction was to be understood literally, otherwise he would have made a mistake.
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