German word

ordentlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɔɐ̯dn̩tlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbproperly

Example

Er macht seine Arbeit ordentlich.

He does his work properly.

Illustration for ordentlich (properly)

More examples

Bei einem Vorstellungsgespräch muss man sich ordentlich benehmen.

At a job interview, you must behave properly.

Core concept

A workbench where every step is checked, every item is in place, and the finished task meets the expected standard.

Common phrases

  • sich ordentlich benehmen

    behave properly

  • ordentlich bezahlen

    pay properly

  • ordentlich planen

    plan properly

Similar words

richtig: In the correct way, meeting the expected standard.
sorgfältig: With careful attention to even the smallest details.
gründlich: Thoroughly, with no gaps or uneven parts.
sauber: Neatly and cleanly, without disorder or dirt.

Definition in German

So, dass eine Handlung zuverlässig, genau und ohne Nachlässigkeit ausgeführt wird.

Word origin

Ordentlich developed from older German ordenlich, built on the idea of Ordnung 'order' with the suffix -lich.

Usage tips

  • In colloquial German, ordentlich can intensify quantity or degree in phrases such as 'ordentlich viel' and 'ordentlich feiern'.

Other meanings

  • neatlyadverb
  • thoroughlyadverb
  • appropriatelyadverb

Opposites

  • unordentlichuntidilyadverb
  • nachlässigcarelesslyadverb

Related words

  • Ordentlichkeitorderlinessnoun

Word lists with this word