German word

regelrecht

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁeːgl̩ˌʁɛçt/

Meaning

  • adverbdownright

Example

Das ist regelrecht unfair.

That is downright unfair.

Illustration for regelrecht (downright)

More examples

Seine Frage war regelrecht peinlich.

His question was downright embarrassing.

Core concept

A rulebook stamp marks something as so clearly real or extreme that it fully qualifies.

Common phrases

  • regelrecht unfair

    downright unfair

  • regelrecht peinlich

    downright embarrassing

Similar words

wirklich: States plainly that something is genuinely or factually the case.
echt: Casually emphasizes that something is genuinely true or real.
absolut: Emphasizes that something reaches a complete or extreme degree.
total: Casually emphasizes that something is extremely or completely so.

Definition in German

Zur Verstärkung, um etwas als tatsächlich, geradezu oder in hohem Maße zu bestätigen.

Word origin

The compound joins Regel ('rule') and recht ('right' or 'correct'), originally describing what accords with a rule and later developing an intensifying sense such as 'downright'.

Usage tips

  • As an adverb, regelrecht means 'downright' or 'really', not 'regularly', which is usually regelmäßig.

Other meanings

  • reallyadverb
  • trulyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word