eigenhändig
personally
Carried out personally and without the help of other people; done with one's own hands.
EXAMPLE
Der Künstler hat jeden Druck eigenhändig signiert.
The artist personally signed every print.
eigenhändig
personally / by one's own hand
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'eigen' (own) and 'Hand' (hand). So it literally means 'with one's own hand' and emphasizes that an action is carried out personally and without outside help.
EXAMPLE
Der berühmte Autor schreibt alle seine Romane noch eigenhändig auf Papier.
The famous author still writes all his novels personally on paper.
Sentence structure
'Eigenhändig' (personally/by one's own hand) is usually used as an adverb and then remains unchanged after the verb. It describes the manner of the action.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat den Kuchen für die Feier eigenhändig gebacken.
She personally baked the cake for the celebration.
Typical collocations
Common verbs combined with 'eigenhändig' (personally/by one's own hand) are 'unterschreiben' (to sign), 'schreiben' (to write), 'bauen' (to build), 'reparieren' (to repair), or 'zubereiten' (to prepare). It is often about actions that have a personal touch or legal validity.
EXAMPLE
Das Testament muss vom Verfasser eigenhändig unterschrieben werden.
The will must be signed personally by the author.
Compare with
eigenhändig vs selbst
oneself / even
Selbst and eigenhändig can express that someone handles something personally rather than having another person do it. Selbst mainly emphasizes the person acting, while eigenhändig additionally highlights that the action was carried out with their own hands. Use eigenhändig when this physical act is important.
eigenhändig
Die Künstlerin signierte die Drucke eigenhändig.
The artist signed the prints in her own hand.
selbst
Die Künstlerin selbst signierte die Drucke.
The artist herself signed the prints.
In real life
Loading video examples...