German word

quasi

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkvaːzi/

Meaning

  • adverbalmost

Example

Das Glas ist quasi leer.

The glass is almost empty.

Illustration for quasi (almost)

More examples

Hier gibt es quasi kein Wasser.

There is almost no water here.

Core concept

A claim placed just short of full literal commitment, while still treating it as effectively true.

Common phrases

  • quasi kein

    almost no

  • quasi nichts

    almost nothing

Similar words

sozusagen: Frames a comparison or paraphrase as approximate rather than exact.
fast: Describes a state or amount that has almost reached the relevant point.
praktisch: Describes what is true for practical purposes rather than in strict detail.
beinahe: Highlights the small remaining gap before something becomes fully the case.

Definition in German

Ein Adverb, das ‚gewissermaßen‘ oder ‚sozusagen‘ im Sinne von ‚in gewissem Maße; praktisch‘ verwendet wird

Word origin

German quasi comes from Latin quasi, meaning 'as if' or 'as though', and entered German as an adverb.

Usage tips

  • Quasi is common in conversational German and can sound like a hedge, so its force ranges from 'so to speak' to 'practically' by context.

Other meanings

  • so to speakadverb
  • virtuallyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word