wirklich
really, actually · really, truly
Wirklich means 'really' or 'actually'. It is used to emphasize that something is true, to express surprise or doubt, or to intensify a statement. It is very common in everyday German.
What wirklich means
- really, actually — to emphasize that something is true or to express surprise
- really, truly — to intensify an adjective or verb
Heard in real German videos
Lines where wirklich was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Magst du auch wirklich Käse, George?Do you really like cheese, George?
- Willst du das wirklich hören?Do you really want to hear that?
- Es sieht wirklich genau wie drüben aus.It really looks exactly like over there.
Example sentences
- Das ist wirklich schön.That is really beautiful.
- Ich weiß es wirklich nicht.I really don't know.
- Wirklich? Das hätte ich nicht gedacht.Really? I wouldn't have thought that.
Common phrases
- wirklich wahrreally true
- nicht wirklichnot really
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers sometimes confuse wirklich with echt. While both can mean 'really', echt is more colloquial and can also mean 'genuine' as an adjective. Wirklich is more neutral and often used in questions to express doubt.
Don’t confuse it with
- echt — Echt is more colloquial and can also be an adjective meaning 'genuine', while wirklich is more neutral and can also be an adjective meaning 'real, actual'.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between wirklich and echt?
Wirklich is more neutral and standard, while echt is more colloquial. Both can be used as adjectives: echt often means 'genuine' (e.g., echtes Leder), while wirklich means 'real, actual' (e.g., die wirkliche Welt).
Can wirklich be used as an adjective?
Yes, wirklich can also be used as an adjective meaning 'real, actual', e.g., die wirkliche Welt (the real world). This entry focuses on the adverb use.