eigentlich

A2

actually

English meaning
actually

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eigentlich in a sentence

Wir wollten eigentlich Freunde besuchen, aber dann sind wir doch zu Hause geblieben.

We actually wanted to visit friends, but then we stayed home anyway.

Word family

eigentlich is built from eigen (own). German builds meaning by welding words together, so knowing the parts usually gives you the whole.

Where eigentlich comes from

seit dem 13. Jahrhundert bezeugt; mittelhochdeutsch eigenlich; Ableitung von dem Adjektiv eigen mit dem Derivatem (Ableitungsmorphem) -lich und Gleitlaut -t-

Words that go with eigentlich

Questions about eigentlich

What does eigentlich mean in English?

eigentlich means "actually". For example: "Wir wollten eigentlich Freunde besuchen, aber dann sind wir doch zu Hause geblieben." — "We actually wanted to visit friends, but then we stayed home anyway."

What level is eigentlich in German?

eigentlich is a A2 word — a2 — elementary.

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