German word

unmittelbar

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊnmɪtəlbaːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adjectiveimmediate

Example

Das war eine unmittelbare Reaktion.

That was an immediate reaction.

Illustration for unmittelbar (immediate)

More examples

Sie leisteten unmittelbare Hilfe nach dem Unfall.

They provided immediate help after the accident.

Core concept

A straight connection reaches its target without a middle stage, whether the target is nearby in space or next in time.

Common phrases

  • unmittelbare Hilfe

    immediate help

  • unmittelbarer Kontakt

    direct contact

Similar words

direkt: Reaching the target directly, without an intervening person, thing, or stage.
sofortig: Happening or being carried out without delay.
nah: Located a short distance away.

Definition in German

Räumlich oder zeitlich ohne Abstand; unmittelbar bedeutet 'direkt neben' oder 'sofort'.

Word origin

The word is formed by prefixing un- to mittelbar, a derivative of Mittel with -bar, so its historical structure expresses what is not mediated.

Usage tips

  • Unmittelbar neben refers to a position directly beside something, while unmittelbar nach refers to the time directly following it; nach keeps its usual dative government.

Other meanings

  • immediatelyadverb
  • directadjective

Opposites

  • mittelbarindirectadjective
  • indirektindirectadjective

Related words

  • Unmittelbarkeitimmediacynoun

Word lists with this word