nämlich

Meaning and Usage

"Nämlich" is an adverb in German used to provide further explanation or clarification. It is often used to introduce an explanation or reason for a previous statement.

Linguistic Analysis

The word "nämlich" does not have a clear etymology, but it is derived from the Middle High German word "nāme," which means 'name' or 'reputation.' It is often used as a conjunction in modern German.

Comparisons between German and English

The word "nämlich" can be translated to English as "namely," "in fact," or "you see." It is used in a similar way to provide further explanation or to introduce a specific detail.

Example Sentences

• Er hatte keine Zeit, nämlich er musste zum Arzt gehen. (He didn't have time, namely he had to go to the doctor.)
• Der Film war langweilig, nämlich es fehlte an Spannung. (The movie was boring, in fact, it lacked suspense.)

Memory Tips

Associate "nämlich" with the English word "namely," which has a similar function of introducing specific details or explanations.

Additional Vocabulary

• Tatsächlich (Actually)
• Genauer gesagt (More precisely)
• In der Tat (In fact)

Gender and Plural

"Nämlich" is an adverb and does not have gender or plural forms.

Conjugation

"Nämlich" is an adverb and does not change its form based on the subject or tense.