German word

hautnah

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaʊ̯tˌnaː/

Meaning

  • adverbup close

Example

Ich habe das Konzert hautnah erlebt.

I experienced the concert up close.

Illustration for hautnah (up close)

More examples

Die Reporterin berichtete hautnah von den Protesten.

The reporter reported on the protests up close.

Core concept

An event unfolds at arm's length, making the observer feel present inside it rather than separated from it.

Common phrases

  • ein Ereignis hautnah miterleben

    experience an event up close

  • die Entwicklung hautnah verfolgen

    follow the development up close

Similar words

direkt: Carried out or received without anything intervening.
aus erster Hand: Based on information or experience obtained directly from its source.
vor Ort: Experienced while physically present at the event's location.
persönlich: Experienced through one's own direct involvement.

Definition in German

Etwas so erleben oder sehen, dass es direkt und sehr nahe wirkt.

Word origin

The compound hautnah joins Haut, 'skin', and nah, 'near', with the literal sense of being close to the skin underlying its figurative use.

Usage tips

  • Hautnah does not require physical contact; it commonly describes close involvement with concerts, sports, news, and other events.

Other meanings

  • firsthandadverb
  • liveadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Hautnäheproximitynoun

Word lists with this word