wahrscheinlich
/vaː(ɐ̯)ˈʃaɪ̯nlɪç/
The German word for 'probably' is wahrscheinlich.
wahrscheinlich is used to indicate that something is likely to happen or is likely to be true.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of wahr, meaning 'true' and scheinlich, meaning 'seeming' or 'appearing'. Together, it literally means 'seemingly true'.
Which one should you use?
While wahrscheinlich implies a high degree of probability or likelihood, the word vielleicht implies a lower degree of certainty, translating more closely to 'maybe' or 'perhaps'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, wahrscheinlich does not change its form based on gender, number or case when it is used to modify a verb or an entire sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/vaː(ɐ̯)ˈʃaɪ̯nlɪç/
Did you know?
- The word wahrscheinlich is actually a linguistic cousin to the English word 'sheen', via the German verb scheinen, which means 'to shine' or 'to appear'.
- In casual spoken German, people often shorten long adverbs or use particles like wohl to express a similar sense of 'probably' without the heavy syllable count of wahrscheinlich.
- In German, you can use the adjective wahrscheinlich as a noun by adding a capital letter: das Wahrscheinliche, referring to 'the probable' or 'the likely'.
Examples in context
- Er mag es wahrscheinlich.He probably likes it.This sentence shows how to use wahrscheinlich to express likelihood regarding someone's preferences.Tatoeba #10137596 by wolfgangth, translation #2513110 by Hybrid
- Er weiß es wahrscheinlich.He probably knows.This sentence demonstrates using wahrscheinlich to express likelihood regarding someone's knowledge.Tatoeba #7712396 by wolfgangth, translation #2745339 by Hybrid
- Er ist wahrscheinlich tot.He is probably dead.This sentence illustrates using wahrscheinlich to express a likely state of being.Tatoeba #8242423 by Luiaard, translation #274991 by CK
- Vermutlich wird das Projekt nächste Woche abgeschlossen sein.Probably, the project will be completed next week.
- Wahrscheinlich wird es morgen regnen.It will probably rain tomorrow.
- Möglicherweise ist er bereits auf dem Weg hierher.He is probably already on his way here.
- Vermutlich kommt er später.He will probably come later.
- Wahrscheinlich geht sie heute Abend aus.She will probably go out tonight.
- Eher bleibe ich hier und entspanne mich.I will probably stay here and relax instead.
- 676 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing the weather for an outdoor event.
- HannahRegnet es heute?Is it raining today?
- FelixEs wird wahrscheinlich regnen.It will probably rain.
- HannahSoll ich einen Schirm mitnehmen?Should I bring an umbrella?
- FelixJa, das ist wahrscheinlich besser.Yes, that is probably better.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry wahrscheinlich, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries wahrscheinlich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
