German word

neulich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnɔʏ̯lɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbthe other day

Example

Ich habe neulich meinen alten Freund getroffen.

I met my old friend the other day.

Illustration for neulich (the other day)

More examples

Ich habe neulich mit ihr telefoniert.

I telephoned her the other day.

Core concept

A recent but undated point on the past-time line, close enough to recall but not pinned to a date.

Common phrases

  • neulich telefoniert

    telephoned the other day

  • neulich geschrieben

    wrote the other day

Similar words

kürzlich: At a recent time in the past, with a somewhat formal written tone.
vor kurzem: At some time in the recent past, in speech or writing.
letztens: At some time recently, expressed in a relaxed, casual way.
vorhin: A little earlier, usually on the same day.

Definition in German

Gibt an, dass etwas in der nahen Vergangenheit geschehen ist, ohne ein genaues Datum zu nennen.

Word origin

Neulich comes from Middle High German niuwelîche, formed from neu ('new') with -lich, and it retained a related sense of recency.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English 'newly', neulich refers to a recent past event, not to doing something in a new way.

Other meanings

  • recentlyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word