adjectiveadverb

wirklich

really

Es beschreibt etwas, das echt ist und nicht nur vorgestellt oder erfunden.

Definition & meaning

The word wirklich is a versatile term in German that translates primarily to "really," "actually," or "genuine/real" depending on the context.

As an adverb: It expresses the truth or reality of a situation. It emphasizes that something is indeed the case, often used to confirm or express surprise (e.g., "Das ist wirklich passiert" - "That really happened").
As an adjective: It describes something that is real, authentic, or factual as opposed to imagined or false (e.g., "Ein wirklicher Freund" - "A real friend").

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

It functions as an adverb when modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
It functions as an adjective when modifying nouns, in which case it is declined according to the gender, case, and number of the noun it describes.

Word origin: The word is derived from the Middle High German "wirklich," which stems from the Old High German "werclih." It is composed of the root "Werk" (work/deed) and the suffix "-lich" (the equivalent of the English suffix "-ly" or "-like"). Etymologically, it originally meant "effective" or "resulting in a deed."