faktische

Faktische is a German adjective used to describe something that exists in reality or in practice, rather than what is laid down by law, policy, or official designation. The term is often translated as de facto or factual in English. It derives from Faktum (fact) and is related to the concept of reality versus formal rules.

In legal and political contexts, faktisch is commonly contrasted with rechtlich (de jure) to distinguish between what is legally established and what operates in practice. Examples include faktische Macht (power exercised in fact), faktische Gewaltenteilung (de facto separation of powers), and faktische Regierung (the government that effectively governs, regardless of formal recognition). These usages emphasize that the observable situation may not be codified in law or official norms but is real in effect.

In everyday language, faktisch is used with phrases such as fak tisch gesehen (factually speaking) or faktisch möglich (in practice possible). It is closely related to, but distinct from, tatsächlich (actually) and in der Praxis (in practice). The nuance centers on reality and functionality rather than formal legality or formal status.

The word is common in German-language discussions across law, political science, sociology, and philosophy, where the aim is to describe how institutions and power operate in practice, as opposed to how they are supposed to operate under formal rules.