eigentlich

Eigentlich is a German adverb and, less commonly, an attributive adjective meaning “in reality,” “really,” or “genuinely.” It is widely used to express a correction, qualification, or hesitation and often functions as a discourse marker in spoken German.

Etymology: The term derives from the adjective eigen “own” with the suffix -lich; the sense evolved from “belonging to oneself, proper” to “genuine, true,” and then to the adverbial meanings “actually” or “in fact.” In addition, it can convey “in principle” or “on the face of it,” as in phrases like “Eigentlich sollte es funktionieren.”

Usage: As an adverb it frequently appears at the start or inside a sentence to soften a statement or to introduce a correction. Examples: “Eigentlich möchte ich heute Abend zu Hause bleiben.” “Eigentlich hat er recht.” “Die eigentliche Bedeutung dieses Wortes ist …” In everyday speech it can function as a hedge: “Eigentlich ist das eine gute Idee, aber …” It contrasts with stronger terms like “wirklich” or “tatsächlich.” In formal writing, it is used sparingly, typically to reflect nuance or speaker attitude.

Attributive and nuances: The word also exists in the attributive form “eigentliche” meaning “real” or “true,” as in “die eigentliche Bedeutung” (the real/true meaning). Related terms include “wirklich,” “tatsächlich,” “im Grunde,” and “prinzipiell.” The precise nuance depends on context and intonation.