sinngemäß

sinngemäß is a German adverb that translates to "in essence," "according to the sense," or "semantically" in English. It is used to indicate that something is being conveyed or understood based on its meaning rather than its literal wording. When a translation is described as sinngemäß, it means the translator has prioritized capturing the original intent and message, even if it requires deviating from a word-for-word rendition. This approach is common in literary translation, legal documents, and everyday communication where the underlying meaning is paramount. For example, a speaker might say "Ich habe seine Worte sinngemäß wiedergegeben," meaning they have relayed the speaker's message without necessarily using the exact same vocabulary. The concept emphasizes comprehension and interpretation over strict adherence to syntax or individual word choices. It acknowledges that direct translation can sometimes obscure or alter the intended message due to linguistic differences. Therefore, sinngemäß signifies a translation or interpretation that accurately reflects the spirit and substance of the original.