German word

verbal

Pronunciation

IPA/vɛɐ̯ˈbaːl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveoral

Example

Die Kritik war verbal, nicht schriftlich.

The criticism was oral, not written.

Illustration for verbal (oral)

More examples

Die Parteien vereinbarten verbal, die Details später schriftlich zu bestätigen.

The parties agreed orally to confirm the details in writing later.

Core concept

A message travels through spoken words instead of a written document.

Common phrases

  • verbal vereinbaren

    agree orally

  • verbal mitteilen

    communicate orally

  • verbal abklären

    clarify orally

Similar words

mündlich: Delivered by spoken words instead of a written text.
wörtlich: Using the precise meaning stated by the words.
schriftlich: Presented in written form rather than spoken aloud.

Definition in German

Auf Worte bezogen; mit Worten vermittelt, besonders das Gesagte betreffend.

Word origin

German verbal comes from Latin verbalis, formed from verbum, meaning 'word'.

Usage tips

  • German verbal can cover word-based communication generally, while mündlich specifically emphasizes that something is spoken.

Other meanings

  • verbaladjective

Opposites

Related words

  • verbalisierenverbalizeverb
  • Verbalisierungverbalizationnoun

Word lists with this word