mental
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mental
Refers to thoughts; something that takes place only in the mind or imagination and not in reality. It describes a mental process.
Ich bin gedanklich schon die ganze Präsentation für morgen durchgegangen.
I have already mentally gone through the entire presentation for tomorrow.
The word is derived from the noun 'der Gedanke' (thought). The ending '-lich' turns the noun into an adjective and means 'in the manner of a thought' or 'relating to thoughts'.
Sie machte sich eine gedankliche Notiz, um das nicht zu vergessen.
She made a mental note so she wouldn't forget it.
'Gedanklich' is very often used as an adverb. It then describes that an action takes place only in the mind and not in reality.
Er hat sich gedanklich schon mit dem neuen Projekt beschäftigt.
He has already mentally dealt with the new project.
Common combinations are 'sich gedanklich vorbereiten' (to prepare mentally), 'etwas gedanklich durchgehen' (to go through something mentally), or 'gedanklich abwesend sein' (to be mentally absent).
Vor dem wichtigen Gespräch ging sie alle Punkte gedanklich noch einmal durch.
Before the important conversation, she mentally went through all the points once more.
real
'real' and 'gedanklich' distinguish between reality and thinking. 'real' describes something that really exists or really happens. 'gedanklich' describes something that takes place only in the mind, for example planning, a comparison, or an idea. If something is visible or actually present, 'real' fits. If it is only part of a mental process, 'gedanklich' fits.
Meine Mutter geht die Aufgabe gedanklich noch einmal durch, bevor sie antwortet.
My mother mentally goes through the task once more before she answers.
Du hast im Park einen realen Hund gesehen, keinen auf einem Foto.
You saw a real dog in the park, not one in a photo.