eindeutig
clear
Clear, unambiguous, and leaving no room for doubt or different interpretations.
EXAMPLE
Die Beweise sind eindeutig, er ist der Täter.
The evidence is clear; he is the perpetrator.
eindeutig
clear
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'ein' (one) and 'deutig'. 'Deutig' comes from the verb 'deuten' (to interpret). So 'eindeutig' (clear/unambiguous) literally means that something can be interpreted in only one single way.
EXAMPLE
Seine Antwort ließ keinen Raum für Zweifel, sie war eindeutig.
His answer left no room for doubt; it was clear.
Use as an adverb
'Eindeutig' is very often used as an adverb to strengthen a statement. It then means something like 'ganz klar' (very clearly) or 'definitiv' (definitely).
EXAMPLE
Das war eindeutig die falsche Entscheidung.
That was clearly the wrong decision.
Typical collocations
Common nouns combined with 'eindeutig' are those that require clarity, for example: 'ein eindeutiger Beweis' (clear evidence), 'ein eindeutiges Ergebnis' (a clear result), 'ein eindeutiges Signal' (a clear signal), or 'eine eindeutige Antwort' (a clear answer).
EXAMPLE
Die Umfrage lieferte ein eindeutiges Ergebnis.
The survey produced a clear result.
Compare with
eindeutig vs explizit
explicit
Eindeutig describes a statement or result that allows only one clear interpretation. Explizit emphasizes that something has been stated openly and expressly. So a statement can be eindeutig because its content is clear, or explizit because it mentions something directly.
eindeutig
Die Antwort der Chefin ist eindeutig: Der Termin wird verschoben.
The boss's answer is clear: the appointment will be postponed.
explizit
Die Chefin sagt explizit, dass der Termin verschoben wird.
The boss explicitly says that the appointment will be postponed.
In real life
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