01
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 klar
clear
'klar' and 'eindeutig' can both mean that something is easy to understand and leaves no doubt. 'klar' is more general and often fits explanations, rules, sentences, or thoughts. 'eindeutig' emphasizes more strongly that there is only one possible interpretation or answer. You use 'eindeutig' especially when something cannot be confused with something else or understood differently. Learners may confuse the words because both stand in contrast to uncertainty. As a simple guide: an explanation is 'klar' if you understand it well; a result is 'eindeutig' if there is no doubt about its meaning.
eindeutig
Das Zeichen am Weg ist eindeutig, deshalb findet Mila den richtigen Eingang sofort.
The sign along the way is clear, so Mila finds the right entrance immediately.
klar
Frau Krüger hat die Aufgabe so klar erklärt, dass alle sie verstanden haben.
Ms. Krüger explained the task so clearly that everyone understood it.
In real life
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