Wörtliches

Wörtliches is a German adjective and adverb that literally means “in words” or “verbatim.” It describes statements that are stated exactly as originally uttered or written, without alteration or interpretation. In legal, literary, and academic contexts, wörtliches is used to emphasize fidelity to the source.

A common application of the term is in the phrase wörtliches Zitat, meaning a direct quotation. When citing a text, the wörtliches Zitat is reproduced word for word, often set apart in quotation marks or italics. This practice is essential in scholarly works to preserve the author’s exact wording and to allow precise reference.

The distinction between wörtlich and the figurative, or metaphorical, use of language is an important nuance. While wörtlich denotes literalness, figurative language relies on symbolic or extended meanings. In translation practice, the decision to render a phrase literally (wörtlich) or adapt it for cultural equivalence (paraphrasing) is guided by context and purpose.

Etymologically, wörtlich derives from the noun Wort “word,” combined with the suffix –lich, which forms adjectives meaning “pertaining to” or “characteristic of.” The root Wort itself comes from the Proto-Germanic *wurdan, which later evolved into Old High German Wort and Old English wōrd.

In English, the counterpart of wörtliches in the sense of “verbatim” or “literal” is “literal.” Both languages use the term to denote strict adherence to the original wording, but English speakers often complement literal translations with notes explaining idiomatic differences. The concept remains identical across both linguistic traditions for clarity, precision, and fidelity to the original text.