förmlich
formal
Stiff, official, and impersonal in accordance with social conventions.
EXAMPLE
Die Begrüßung durch den Direktor war sehr förmlich und distanziert.
The greeting from the director was very formal and distant.
förmlich
formal / practically
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Meanings
förmlich
practically
Used for emphasis and means 'virtually' or 'literally'.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist vor Schreck förmlich erstarrt.
She practically froze with fright.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from 'die Form' (form). Something that is 'förmlich' (formal) follows strict social forms or rules.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Staatsbesuch ging es sehr förmlich zu.
The state visit was conducted in a very formal manner.
Context clue
If 'förmlich' describes a person or situation as stiff and official, the first meaning is intended. If it intensifies a verb or adjective in the sense of 'geradezu' (practically), the second meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die Atmosphäre bei dem Treffen war eher förmlich.
The atmosphere at the meeting was rather formal.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'offiziell' (official), the word is often used for communication and behavior: 'eine förmliche Anrede' (a formal form of address, e.g. 'Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren' — Dear Sir or Madam), 'ein förmliches Schreiben' (a formal letter), or 'eine förmliche Einladung' (a formal invitation).
EXAMPLE
In Geschäftsbriefen ist eine förmliche Anrede üblich.
In business letters, a formal form of address is common.
Sentence structure and use
In its intensifying meaning, 'förmlich' comes directly before the word it emphasizes. It often describes a strong, almost exaggerated reaction or state.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Wanderung war ich förmlich ausgehungert.
After the long hike, I was practically starving.
Compare with
förmlich vs geradezu
downright
Geradezu and förmlich can both strongly intensify a statement. Geradezu is the usual adverb for this purpose and often emphasizes the astonishing extent of something, while förmlich is more marked in this meaning and closer to „literally“. Use geradezu in normal standard German and förmlich in a stylistically emphatic formulation.
förmlich
Die Schlange vor dem Schalter war förmlich endlos.
The line in front of the counter was practically endless.
geradezu
Die Schlange vor dem Schalter war geradezu endlos.
The line in front of the counter was downright endless.
In real life
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