gleichsam
/ˈɡlaɪ̯çˌzaːm/
In German, the phrase "as it were" is translated as gleichsam.
gleichsam is used to signal that a comparison or metaphor is being used figuratively rather than literally. It describes something in a way that is not literally true but provides a helpful comparison.
What does it mean word for word?
It literally means "equal-like" or "in a similar manner".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
gleichsam is a relatively formal term and is most commonly found in literary or sophisticated written German. For more formal conversations or written contexts where you want to suggest something is true "in a way" or "in a sense", you can use gewissermaßen. In informal settings, sozusagen is a common alternative.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡlaɪ̯çˌzaːm/
Did you know?
- In Old High German, a word with a similar root to gleichsam could actually mean a 'hypocrite', a quite different concept from a helpful comparison.
- The word gleichsam is related to the English word 'like' through their shared Proto-Indo-European root for 'equal'.
- While gleichsam and sozusagen both mean 'as it were', sozusagen is used so frequently in speech that it often becomes a filler word similar to 'like' or 'sort of' in English.
Examples in context
- Tom lebte in einer Traumwelt. Oft weilte gleichsam nur sein Körper unter uns, während sein Geist ganz woanders war.Tom lived in a dream world. Often, as it were, only his body was among us, while his mind was quite somewhere else.This sentence shows how to use gleichsam to describe a person's mental state being disconnected from their physical presence.Tatoeba #6170378 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6170563 by carlosalberto
- Ich fühlte mich gleichsam wie neugeboren.I felt, as it were, like I was born anew.This sentence demonstrates using gleichsam to describe a feeling of rebirth.
- Die Lage ist, sozusagen, eine Gratwanderung zwischen Erfolg und Misserfolg.The situation is, so to speak, a delicate balancing act between success and failure.
- Er ist, sozusagen, ein Experte auf seinem Gebiet.He is, as it were, an expert in his field.
- Das Buch ist, gewissermaßen, eine Spiegelung der Gesellschaft.The book is, in a way, a reflection of society.
- Der Richter hat, gewissermaßen, sein Urteil bereits gefällt.The judge has, in a sense, already made his decision.
- Die Party war, sozusagen, der Höhepunkt des Jahres.The party was, so to speak, the highlight of the year.
- Ihr Vorschlag war, sozusagen, ein Volltreffer.Her suggestion was, as it were, a bullseye.
- Er war gleichsam ein Geist in der Stadt.He was, as it were, a ghost in the city.
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are discussing a very confusing book.
- FelixDieses Buch ist gleichsam ein Labyrinth.This book is, as it were, a labyrinth.
- JuliaStimmt, ich verliere ständig den Faden.True, I keep losing the thread.
- FelixMan muss es ganz langsam lesen.One has to read it very slowly.
- JuliaDas werde ich versuchen, Felix.I will try that, Felix.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gleichsam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gleichsam, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
