erfahrungsgemäß

Erfahrungsgemäß is a German adverb that translates to "based on experience," "from experience," or "empirically." It is used to describe something that is known or understood through practical experience rather than theoretical knowledge or speculation. The term implies that a conclusion or statement is derived from observations and past events.

When something is described as erfahrungsgemäß, it suggests a reliable outcome or tendency that has been observed repeatedly. It indicates a practical wisdom or a learned behavior that is considered likely to occur again. For instance, a statement like "Erfahrungsgemäß ist der Verkehr morgens am schlimmsten" means "Based on experience, traffic is worst in the morning." This implies that this is a recurring pattern observed over time.

The adverb is often used in everyday conversation as well as in more formal contexts, including scientific and academic writing, to support claims with empirical evidence. It emphasizes a grounded understanding of a situation or phenomenon. The term suggests that the knowledge is not abstract but has been tested and confirmed through real-world encounters. It is a way of communicating that a particular outcome is expected due to past observations and a learned understanding of how things typically unfold.