German word

wahrscheinlich

Pronunciation

IPA/vaːɐ̯ˈʃaɪ̯nlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbprobably

Example

Ich werde wahrscheinlich später kommen.

I'll probably come later.

Illustration for wahrscheinlich (probably)

More examples

Das Paket kommt wahrscheinlich morgen an.

The package will probably arrive tomorrow.

Core concept

A forecast that looks close to true, while a different outcome remains possible.

Common phrases

  • ganz wahrscheinlich

    almost certainly

  • wahrscheinlich nicht

    probably not

Similar words

vielleicht: Signals that an event might happen, without saying how likely it is.
vermutlich: Expresses a reasoned guess based on signs or surrounding circumstances.
möglicherweise: Points to a possible event while stressing uncertainty.
anscheinend: Suggests that something appears true based on what can be observed or learned.

Definition in German

Gibt an, dass etwas sehr wahrscheinlich passieren wird.

Word origin

Wahrscheinlich continues Middle High German warschinlich and combines wahr, Schein, and -lich to describe something that appears true.

Usage tips

  • As an adjective before a noun, wahrscheinlich takes regular endings, as in 'eine wahrscheinliche Ursache'; as an adverb, it stays unchanged.

Other meanings

  • probableadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word