German word

grundsätzlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgʁʊntˌzɛt͡slɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbbasically

Example

Ich bin grundsätzlich damit einverstanden.

I am basically in agreement with that.

Illustration for grundsätzlich (basically)

More examples

Es ist grundsätzlich möglich, dass wir später noch einmal darüber sprechen.

In principle, it is possible that we will discuss it again later.

Core concept

A rule-level view that leaves individual cases open.

Common phrases

  • grundsätzlich möglich

    possible in principle

  • grundsätzlich einverstanden

    basically in agreement

  • grundsätzlich ablehnen

    reject in principle

Similar words

eigentlich: Points to the actual situation or feeling rather than the apparent one.
prinzipiell: Expresses a conclusion based on a basic principle or guiding idea.
im Prinzip: Expresses basic agreement while allowing for exceptions in the details.
normalerweise: Describes what is usual or customary in normal situations.

Definition in German

Im Allgemeinen so zu betrachten, dass etwas als Regel oder Richtlinie gilt, ohne Einzelfälle im Detail zu regeln.

Word origin

Grundsätzlich derives from the noun Grundsatz, meaning a basic principle, with the suffix -lich forming an adjective that also functions adverbially.

Usage tips

  • Grundsätzlich often signals that exceptions or conditions remain possible, so it is not always equivalent to an absolute statement in English.

Other meanings

  • in principleadverb
  • generallyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Grundsatzprinciplenoun
  • grundlegendfundamentaladjective

Word lists with this word