einzig
only
Describes that there is only one instance of something or someone and no other.
EXAMPLE
Das ist der einzige Schlüssel, den wir für diese Tür haben.
That is the only key we have for this door.
einzig
only / unique
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Meanings
einzig
unique
Means 'einzigartig' (unique) or 'unvergleichlich' (incomparable) and is used to emphasize the special quality of something.
EXAMPLE
Die Atmosphäre bei diesem Konzert war einfach einzig.
The atmosphere at this concert was simply unique.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Einzig' is derived directly from the number 'eins' (one). It emphasizes that something exists only once or stands alone in its kind.
EXAMPLE
Er war der einzige Gast auf der Party.
He was the only guest at the party.
Common construction
The construction 'der/die/das Einzige, was/der/die...' (the only thing/person that/who...) is very common. It is used to set one thing or person apart from all others.
EXAMPLE
Das Einzige, was ich jetzt möchte, ist ein Glas Wasser.
The only thing I want right now is a glass of water.
Predicative use
In the meaning 'einzigartig' (unique), 'einzig' often appears at the end of the sentence (predicatively) and is not declined. It then functions like an adverb and strengthens a statement.
EXAMPLE
Die Aussicht vom Berggipfel war einfach einzig.
The view from the mountain peak was simply unique.
Compare with
einzig vs einzeln
individual / separate
Einzig and einzeln can both refer to a particular thing, but they emphasize different aspects. Einzig means that nothing else exists; einzeln singles out one thing from a group without specifying the group’s total number. If there is only one error, einzig is the right term; when dealing with a particular error, einzeln is the right term.
einzig
Im Bericht wurde nur ein einziger Fehler gefunden.
Only one error was found in the report.
einzeln
Im Bericht prüfen wir jeden Fehler einzeln.
In the report, we examine each error individually.
In real life
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