imagined / invented
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imagined / invented
Created in the imagination or through thinking; made up or invented. Describes something that is not real, but was created in the mind.
Die Figur des Sherlock Holmes ist eine vollständig erdachte Gestalt.
The character of Sherlock Holmes is a completely invented figure.
'Erdacht' (imagined / invented) is the past participle of the inseparable verb 'erdenken' (to devise / think up). It is made up of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'denken' (to think) and means to create something through thought.
Der Architekt hat sich einen cleveren Plan für das kleine Haus erdacht.
The architect came up with a clever plan for the small house.
The adjective often describes creative creations. Typical combinations are 'eine erdachte Geschichte' (an invented story), 'eine erdachte Figur' (an invented character), or 'eine erdachte Welt' (an imagined world).
Alle Charaktere in diesem Roman sind frei erdacht.
All the characters in this novel are entirely invented.
To emphasize that something is pure fiction, 'erdacht' (imagined / invented) is often combined with adverbs such as 'frei' (freely), 'vollständig' (completely), or 'komplett' (completely).
Die Handlung des Films ist nicht historisch, sondern komplett erdacht.
The plot of the film is not historical, but completely invented.
fictional
Fiktiv and erdacht can both describe a non-real character or world. Fiktiv mainly describes its status within a story or depiction, whereas erdacht places greater emphasis on someone having created it through thought. For classifying a story, fiktiv is more appropriate; for describing how something came into being, erdacht is more appropriate.
Die Autorin hat diese Welt für den Roman erdacht.
The author imagined this world for the novel.
Die fiktive Welt des Romans hat eigene Regeln.
The fictional world of the novel has its own rules.
