German word

automatisch

Pronunciation

IPA/aʊ̯toˈmaːtɪʃ/

Meaning

  • adjectiveautomatic

Example

Das automatische Licht geht an.

The automatic light comes on.

Illustration for automatisch (automatic)

More examples

Die automatische Tür öffnet sich schnell.

The automatic door opens quickly.

Core concept

A machine or system carries out a preset action without a person controlling each step.

Common phrases

  • automatische Tür

    automatic door

  • automatisches Update

    automatic update

  • automatische Zahlung

    automatic payment

Similar words

manuell: Done through direct handling and control by a person.
selbsttätig: Beginning and continuing without an external signal or manual control.
automatisiert: Changed so a system carries out tasks in place of human workers.

Definition in German

Von selbst ablaufend oder sich selbst regelnd, ohne manuelle Steuerung.

Word origin

Automatisch is a learned borrowing based on Greek automatos, formed around the idea of acting independently rather than by manual control.

Usage tips

  • In German, automatisch can also mean inevitably or as a direct consequence, as in Das bedeutet nicht automatisch, dass es stimmt.

Other meanings

  • automaticallyadverb

Opposites

  • manuellmanualadjective

Related words

  • automatisierenautomateverb
  • Automatisierungautomationnoun
  • Automatikautomatic mechanismnoun

Word lists with this word