irrtümlich

Irrtümlich is a German adverb meaning by mistake, accidentally, or erroneously. As an adjective, irrtümlich can mean erroneous or mistaken, referring to conclusions, judgments, or claims that result from a misapprehension rather than deliberate deceit. In practice, the word signals that an outcome is the result of an error.

Etymology: the term combines Irrtum, meaning error or mistake, with the suffix -tümlich, yielding a word that denotes something arising from an error. The form is primarily found in written and formal German, and its use has declined in informal spoken language in favor of phrases like aus Versehen or versehentlich.

Usage and nuance: irrtümlich is used when emphasizing that a statement, action, or result was caused by an error rather than intention. It can function as an attributive adjective (eine irrtümliche Lieferung, ein irrtümlicher Fehler) or as an adverb (etwas irrtümlich getan, er hat irrtümlich gehandelt). In everyday speech, speakers may prefer simpler expressions such as aus Versehen or versehentlich, while irrtümlich remains common in official, legal, or formal writing.

Examples:

- Er hat irrtümlich die falsche Rechnung bezahlt.

- Die irrtümliche Lieferung wurde zurückgeschickt.

- Ihre Annahme war irrtümlich und führte zu Verzögerungen.

See also: synonyms and related terms include fälschlicherweise, aus Versehen, versehentlich. Irrtümlich mainly conveys that an error was unintentional and inadvertent in origin, rather than indicating intentional deception.