wahrhaftig

Wahrhaftig is a German adjective meaning truthful, veracious, or genuine. It describes something that corresponds to truth or reality, and people who speak or act with honesty and integrity. In contemporary usage it is relatively formal or literary and appears more often in written than in everyday spoken German. The term can also function as an intensifier, conveying a strong sense of authenticity, as in phrases like eine wahrhaftige Aussage or eine wahrhaftige Begebenheit. In older or ceremonial contexts, it may appear as an exclamation, for example Wahrhaftig!, meaning “Indeed!” or “Truly!”

Etymology and form: Wahrhaftig is built from wahr, meaning true, combined with the suffix -haftig, which denotes having the quality of or characterized by. The word thus literally means “having the quality of truth.” It has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch waarachtig.

Usage and nuance: Wahrhaftig stresses veracity and alignment with facts and the genuineness of things, setting it apart from more everyday synonyms like ehrlich (honest) or aufrichtig (sincere). It is often employed in literary, historical, or solemn prose to emphasize authenticity. In contrast to neutral terms, it can convey a sense of veritable authenticity or a more emphatic judgment about truth.

See also: Wahrhaftigkeit (truthfulness, veracity), Wahrheit (truth), related stylistic uses in religious or classical texts. Overall, wahrhaftig remains a formal, literary adjective used to assert genuine truth or authenticity rather than routine honesty.