German word

nämlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnɛːmlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbbecause

Example

Er ist müde, er hat nämlich lange gearbeitet.

He is tired because he has been working for so long.

Illustration for nämlich (because)

More examples

Ich kann nämlich nicht kommen, ich bin krank.

I can't come, because I'm sick.

Core concept

A speaker adds a familiar reason after a statement, tagging it on as an explanation rather than introducing it first.

Common phrases

  • kann nämlich nicht

    because I can't

  • bin nämlich krank

    because I'm sick

Similar words

deshalb: Signals that a preceding cause has produced the stated result.
deswegen: Signals that a prior circumstance caused the stated outcome.
darum: Marks the stated result as following from an earlier reason.
also: Introduces a conclusion or summary drawn from what came before.

Definition in German

nämlich gibt oft eine als bekannt vorausgesetzte Ursache oder Erklärung an und steht meist nach dem, was erklärt wird.

Word origin

Nämlich comes from Middle High German nemelich, built from the word for name with -lich, and originally meant 'by name' or 'namely' before gaining its explanatory use.

Usage tips

  • Nämlich does not introduce a subordinate clause with verb-final order; it remains inside a main clause, as in 'Er hat nämlich lange gearbeitet.'

Other meanings

  • that isadverb

Word lists with this word