herkömmlich
conventional
Etwas, das so ist, wie es meistens oder schon lange gemacht wird.
Meaning (English)
herkömmlich means conventional, customary, traditional, or usual—something done or used according to long-established practice rather than being new or modern.
Examples of usage (sense):
- eine herkömmliche Methode = a conventional/traditional method
- herkömmliche Kleidung = traditional/conventional clothing
- herkömmliche Landwirtschaft = conventional (non-organic) agriculture (context-dependent)
Parts / Word formation
- her-: indicates “from” or “hither/from there” in many compounds.
- -komm- from kommen (“to come”).
- Related to the verb herkommen = “to come from / to originate from”.
- -lich: adjective-forming suffix, similar to “-like / -ly”.
So herkömmlich is literally “coming from (somewhere), originating from”, and figuratively “stemming from tradition”.
German synonyms
- konventionell
- traditionell
- üblich
- gewohnt
- gängig
- althergebracht (more formal, “time-honored”)
German antonyms (when applicable)
- modern
- unkonventionell
- ungewöhnlich
- neu
- innovativ
- zeitgemäß (often “up-to-date”, contrast depends on context)
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Examples
Viele Menschen bevorzugen herkömmliche Bücher statt E-Books.adjective
Many people prefer conventional books instead of E-books.
Man verwendet oft herkömmliche Geräte.adjective
One often uses conventional devices.
Warum werden solche Verfahren noch als herkömmlich bezeichnet?adjective
Why are such procedures still referred to as conventional?
Trotz neuer Möglichkeiten wählen viele noch herkömmliche Lösungen.adjective
Despite new possibilities, many still choose conventional solutions.
Im herkömmlichen Backofen dauert das Backen länger.adjective
Baking takes longer in a conventional oven.
Herkömmliche Glühbirnen verbrauchen viel Strom.adjective
Conventional light bulbs consume a lot of electricity.
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