hoffentlich

Hoffentlich is a German adverb meaning “hopefully” or “I hope so.” It expresses the speaker’s wish or expectation for a future event to occur in a favorable way. The word combines the stem hoff, from hoffen (to hope), with the suffix -lich, forming a term that functions as a sentence adverb.

Usage and meaning

Hoffentlich typically introduces or modifies a clause to convey hope about the outcome. It is most often placed at the beginning of a sentence: Hoffentlich klappt das. Hoffentlich regnet es morgen nicht. It can also appear after the verb in some constructions: Es klappt hoffentlich bald. While it signals hope, it does not express certainty or probability in the same way as words like vielleicht (perhaps) or wahrscheinlich (likely).

Grammar and nuance

Hoffentlich is an adverb and does not decline. It can stand alone as a short interjection or be embedded in a longer statement. In more explicit statements of hope, speakers may replace it with or follow it by a subordinate clause: Ich hoffe, dass es klappt; Hoffentlich wird es so. In contrast, vielleicht or wahrscheinlich refer more directly to likelihood rather than personal hope.

Translations and related terms

Common translations are “hopefully” and “I hope so.” Related terms include hoffen (to hope) and vielleicht (perhaps), which expresses uncertainty without the same hopeful emphasis.

See also

Hoffen; German adverbs of epistemic stance; usage notes on sentence adverbs in German.

Examples

- Hoffentlich klappt es heute mit dem Termin.

- Hoffentlich regnet es nicht während des Festivals.

- Wir fahren früh los, hoffentlich kommen wir rechtzeitig an.