German word

zirka

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈt͡sɪʁka/

Meaning

  • adverbabout

Example

Ich komme zirka um acht Uhr.

I'll arrive at about eight o'clock.

Illustration for zirka (about)

More examples

Das Buch kostet zirka 20 Euro.

The book costs about 20 euros.

Core concept

A loose circle around a number or clock time, marking a nearby value rather than an exact point.

Common phrases

  • zirka 50 Prozent

    about 50 percent

  • zirka zwei Stunden

    about two hours

  • zirka 20 Euro

    about 20 euros

Similar words

ungefähr: A common term for an approximate amount or time in speech and writing.
etwa: A mild term for an approximate amount, especially in writing.
rund: A colloquial term for a rounded, approximate number.
circa: A term placed before a number to show an approximate value, including in writing.

Definition in German

zirka ist ein Adverb, das ungefähr bedeutet und eine geschätzte Menge oder Zeit kennzeichnet; es wird besonders bei ungefähren Zahlenangaben verwendet.

Word origin

German zirka comes from Latin circa, meaning 'around', and entered German as a borrowing used for approximation.

Usage tips

  • Zirka normally comes before the quantity or time, as in 'zirka zehn Personen' and 'zirka um acht Uhr'.

Opposites

Word lists with this word