German word

ungefähr

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊngəfɛːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adverbabout

Example

Das dauert ungefähr eine Stunde.

That takes about an hour.

Illustration for ungefähr (about)

More examples

Es sind ungefähr 50 Leute auf der Veranstaltung.

There are about 50 people at the event.

Core concept

A rough estimate placed beside a number instead of an exact measurement.

Common phrases

  • ungefähr dreißig Minuten

    about thirty minutes

  • ungefähr 20 Euro

    about 20 euros

  • ungefähr zwei Kilometer

    about two kilometers

Similar words

etwa: Gives a rough quantity or period of time.
schätzungsweise: Signals that a number is an estimated value.
circa: Precedes a number or time expression to show an approximate value.

Definition in German

Zeigt an, dass eine Angabe gerundet, geschätzt oder nur annähernd zutrifft.

Word origin

Ungefähr is an inherited German word from Middle High German ungevære, whose meaning developed from 'accidentally' or 'unintentionally' to 'approximately'.

Usage tips

  • Ungefähr can modify more than quantities, as in ungefähr so, meaning 'roughly so' or 'approximately so'.

Opposites

Word lists with this word