selbstverständlich

Selbstverständlich is a German word that is used as both an adverb and an adjective. As an adverb, it means things like “obviously,” “naturally,” or “as a matter of course,” indicating that something is taken for granted. As an adjective, it describes something that is self-evident, unquestionable, or obviously true. In everyday speech it can also function as an interjection, standing alone to express agreement or assurance, roughly translating to “of course.”

Etymology and form: The word is a compound of selbst (self) and verständlich (understandable), from verstehen (to understand). The sense it conveys is that something can be understood without further explanation, or is expected as a given.

Usage and nuance: Selbstverständlich often carries a normative or reassuring undertone. In formal or polite contexts, it can emphasize that a rule, obligation, or expectation is accepted by all involved. It is common in written and spoken German when stating universally accepted norms or when offering assurance. It contrasts with other near-synonyms: natürlich emphasizes naturalness, offensichtlich stresses obviousness to observers, and logischer Schluss or sinnvoll may indicate reasoning rather than social expectation.

Examples: Es ist selbstverständlich, dass alle pünktlich erscheinen. (It is assumed/expected that everyone arrives on time.) Selbstverständlich stehe ich Ihnen jederzeit zur Verfügung. (Of course I am at your disposal.) Das ist eine selbstverständliche Regel in der Schule. (That is a self-evident rule in the school.)

In sum, selbstverständlichkeit denotes something that is inherently understood or accepted as a given, used across formal and informal registers to convey obviousness, naturalness, or normative expectation.