German word

bestimmt

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈʃtɪmt/

Meaning

  • adverbdefinitely

Example

Das wird bestimmt klappen.

That will definitely work out.

Illustration for bestimmt (definitely)

More examples

Ich komme bestimmt morgen.

I will definitely come tomorrow.

Core concept

A speaker points ahead with a confident nod, treating the predicted outcome as highly likely.

Common phrases

  • ganz bestimmt

    quite definitely

  • bestimmt klappen

    definitely work out

Similar words

wahrscheinlich: Presents an outcome as highly likely.
sicher: States something with assured confidence or reliable grounds.

Definition in German

Drückt aus, dass der Sprecher überzeugt ist, etwas werde sehr wahrscheinlich eintreten.

Word origin

The adverb developed from bestimmt in the sense of 'determined' or 'fixed', the past participle of bestimmen 'to determine'.

Usage tips

  • Before a noun, bestimmt usually means 'specific' or 'particular', as in 'bestimmte Gründe', rather than the adverbial 'definitely'.

Other meanings

  • surelyadverb
  • certainlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word