historical
Loading your saved state.
historical
Concerning history, based on history, or originating from it.
Das Museum zeigt die geschichtliche Entwicklung der Stadt vom Mittelalter bis heute.
The museum shows the historical development of the city from the Middle Ages to today.
The adjective 'geschichtlich' (historical) is derived directly from the noun 'die Geschichte' (history). The ending '-lich' turns the noun into an adjective meaning 'concerning history.'
Wir untersuchen die geschichtlichen Wurzeln dieses Konflikts.
We are examining the historical roots of this conflict.
'Geschichtlich' (historical) is often combined with nouns that describe a process, a state, or a fact. Common combinations are 'geschichtliche Entwicklung' (historical development), 'geschichtlicher Hintergrund' (historical background), 'geschichtliches Ereignis' (historical event), and 'geschichtliche Quellen' (historical sources).
Der geschichtliche Hintergrund des Romans ist der Dreißigjährige Krieg.
The historical background of the novel is the Thirty Years' War.
The adjective can stand before a noun or be used as part of the predicate with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'gelten als' (to be considered). Both uses are common.
Das ist ein geschichtlich bedeutsamer Ort.
This is a historically significant place.
historical
'historisch' and 'geschichtlich' often mean almost the same thing when something has to do with history. For example, you can speak of 'ein historisches Thema' or 'ein geschichtliches Thema' (a historical topic). But 'historisch' is also used when something is so important that it could go down in history. In this meaning, 'geschichtlich' usually does not fit as well. That is why learners may confuse the words: for a normal connection to history, both are possible; for a very important moment, 'historisch' is more natural.
Im Unterricht sprechen die Kinder über geschichtliche Quellen.
In class, the children are talking about historical sources.
Der Sieg der Mannschaft war für die Stadt ein historischer Moment.
The team's victory was a historic moment for the city.