German word

jedenfalls

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈjeːdn̩ˌfals/

Meaning

  • adverbanyway

Example

Ich habe keine Zeit, aber ich komme jedenfalls später.

I don't have time, but I'll come later anyway.

Illustration for jedenfalls (anyway)

More examples

Jedenfalls danke für deine Hilfe.

Anyway, thanks for your help.

Core concept

A speaker sets aside a side issue and moves on with one point still fixed.

Common phrases

  • ich komme jedenfalls

    I am coming anyway

  • das hilft jedenfalls

    That helps anyway

Similar words

auf jeden Fall: States with strong certainty that something will happen under any circumstances.
so oder so: Indicates that the result will not change whichever option occurs.
trotzdem: Indicates that something still happens even though there is opposition or difficulty.

Definition in German

Eine Aussage zusammenfasst oder einen Themenwechsel einleitet und die Bedeutung 'auf jeden Fall' trägt.

Word origin

Jedenfalls developed from the Middle High German phrase ie den vallen, meaning "in every case", which contracted into a single adverb.

Usage tips

  • English "anyway" can sound dismissive, whereas jedenfalls often neutrally marks a conclusion or a transition.

Other meanings

  • in any caseadverb
  • at any rateadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word