Wörtlich

Wörtlich is a German word used as an adverb and adjective meaning literally, word-for-word, or exact in wording. It is employed to indicate that a statement should be understood in its most direct, non-figurative sense or that a quotation is given verbatim. The corresponding noun forms include Wörtlichkeit (literalness or exact wording) and the phrase der Wortlaut (the wording).

Etymology and forms: Wörtlich derives from Wort (word) with the suffix -lich, producing meanings related to the manner of words. It can modify nouns in phrases such as wörtliche Übersetzung (literal translation) or wörtliche Rede (direct speech). The adverbial use is common: etwas wörtlich nehmen means to take something literally. The related terms emphasize exactness, such as der Wortlaut (the exact wording) or die Wörtlichkeit (the literal sense).

Usage: In linguistics, translation, and reporting, wörtlich marks exact wording rather than figurative interpretation. It contrasts with sinngemäß or sinngemäße Wiedergabe, which denote sense-for-sense rendering. In everyday language, phrases like “Er hat es wörtlich gesagt” illustrate taking statements at their literal meaning. In legal or scholarly contexts, “im Wortlaut des Gesetzes” refers to the exact text of the law.

See also: Wortlaut, Wörtlichkeit, sinngemäß, direkte Rede, Zitat, Übersetzung. In English-language contexts, wörtlich is typically translated as literally or verbatim, depending on whether the emphasis is on sense or exact wording.