Inoffizielle

Inoffizielle is a German adjective meaning not official or unofficial. It is formed from the prefix in- (not) and offiziell (official) and is used to describe statements, documents, events, or actions that have not been formally sanctioned or recognized by an authority. The form inoffizielle appears in attributive position before feminine singular nouns (eine inoffizielle Version) and, in plural usage, before plural nouns (inoffizielle Berichte). The corresponding predicative or adverbial form is inoffiziell.

Usage and nuance: inoffizielle is typically employed to indicate that something has not received formal approval, authorization, or public confirmation. It often signals that information is not officially verified or released by the relevant institution, authority, or speaker. The term is common in journalism, politics, research, and media discussions, as well as in sports or historical contexts where unofficial versions, sources, or interpretations are contrasted with official ones.

Examples: eine inoffizielle Version des Berichts, inoffizielle Quellen, inoffizielle Absprachen. In contrast, official versions or statements would be described as offiziell or offiziell bestätigt.

See also: Official, unofficial, offizielle Quelle, inoffiziell.