01
identisch
identical
Completely the same; matching exactly in all features and characteristics.
example
Die DNA-Proben der beiden Zwillinge waren identisch.
The DNA samples of the two twins were identical.
identisch
identical
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Meanings
Usage tips
Sentence structure with 'mit'
When comparing two things, 'identisch' (identical) is almost always used with the preposition 'mit' and the dative. The structure is: A ist identisch mit B (A is identical to B).
EXAMPLE
Dein Rucksack ist identisch mit meinem.
Your backpack is identical to mine.
Sentence structure with plural
When you want to say that several things are the same as one another, you use a plural subject. No preposition is needed then.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Häuser sehen von außen identisch aus.
The two houses look identical from the outside.
Intensifying and softening
'Identisch' (identical) can be modified by adverbs. 'Völlig identisch' or 'absolut identisch' means 100% the same, while 'fast identisch', 'nahezu identisch', or 'praktisch identisch' expresses a very strong similarity.
EXAMPLE
Die Kopie war vom Original praktisch nicht zu unterscheiden; sie war fast identisch.
The copy was practically indistinguishable from the original; it was almost identical.
Compare with
identisch vs gleich
immediate / same
'gleich' and 'identisch' both describe that two things match. 'gleich' is the normal, very common word in everyday language. It can also mean that things are the same only in a particular respect, for example that they have the same color. 'identisch' is more precise and stronger: it means that truly all features match. The word often sounds more factual or technical. If you want to say with complete certainty that there is no difference, 'identisch' is more precise.
identisch
Nach dem Update waren die beiden Dateien nicht mehr identisch.
After the update, the two files were no longer identical.
gleich
Für das Projekt benutzen wir das gleiche Programm wie letztes Jahr.
For the project, we are using the same program as last year.
In real life
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