Definition

Actually/in fact/basically.

Examples

  • Eigentlich mag ich Kaffee nicht. — Actually I don’t like coffee.
  • *Was willst du eigentlich? — What do you actually want?
  • Das ist eigentlich nicht so schwer. — That’s actually not so hard.

Notes

Very common in spoken German — softens statements and expresses mild surprise or correction. Often added mid-sentence for nuance.