unwirklich

Unwirklich is a German adjective and adverb meaning not real, unreal, or fictitious. It can describe something that does not exist in reality as well as experiences that feel detached from ordinary life. In everyday language it is also used as an intensifier, roughly equating to “unbelievably” or “surreally” when paired with adjectives.

Etymology and nuance: The term is formed from un- (a negating prefix) and wirklich (real, true). The nuance of unwirklich ranges from objective non-reality (a unwirkliche Erscheinung, an apparition that does not exist) to a subjective impression of unreality or dreamlike quality (eine unwirkliche Atmosphäre). In many contexts it conveys a sense of uncanny distance between appearance and reality.

Usage and examples: Unwirklich can describe landscapes, events, or encounters that seem otherworldly. For example: “Die Landschaft wirkte unwirklich still.” “Es war eine unwirkliche Begegnung.” “Das Bild ist unwirklich schön.” “Der Preis erschien unwirklich hoch.” In narrative or cinematic contexts it frequently signals dreamlike, surreal, or fantastical elements, sometimes hinting at questions of reality versus illusion.

Relation to related terms: The noun form unwirklichkeit denotes unreality or the quality of being unreal. It contrasts with wirklichkeit (reality) and is often discussed in literary, philosophical, or aesthetic contexts to analyze perception, illusion, or the boundaries of what is considered real. Unwirklich is common in modern German prose, journalism, and everyday speech, reflecting its flexible capacity to describe both tangible non-reality and figurative extraordinariness.