Sachliche

Sachliche is a German adjective derived from Sache (matter, thing) and the suffix -lich, meaning factual, objective, or matter-of-fact. The core idea is objectivity and relevance to the matter at issue. The form sachliche is used before feminine singular nouns (eine sachliche Analyse), before neuter singular nouns (das sachliche Argument) and before plural nouns (sachliche Gründe). The masculine singular form is sachlicher.

In usage, sachlich describes language, reasoning, or presentation that sticks to facts, avoids emotional language, and foregrounds relevance to the topic. In journalism and academic writing, formulations such as sachliche Berichterstattung or sachliche Darstellung signal neutrality and rigor; in law or business it can denote a pragmatic, factual examination (sachliche Prüfung). The term overlaps with, but is not identical to, objektiv.

Historically, the noun Sachlichkeit refers to objectivity or practicality in a broader sense and is central in German art and literature. It is especially associated with Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity), a 1920s movement that favored plain, unornamented, fact-focused style in response to expressionism.

Translations of sachliche include factual, objective, and matter-of-fact; in some contexts it can also mean practical or utilitarian. The term is common in formal German and appears across journalism, academia, and everyday discourse to describe statements, analyses, or designs that prioritize evidence and relevance over emotion.