indirect
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indirect
Not happening in a direct way, but through a detour or through an intermediary.
Er hat mir nur indirekt zu verstehen gegeben, dass er mit der Entscheidung unzufrieden ist.
He only let me know indirectly that he was unhappy with the decision.
The word is the opposite of 'direkt' (direct). The prefix 'in-' has a negating function here and means 'not'.
Eine direkte Verbindung gibt es nicht, Sie müssen umsteigen.
There is no direct connection; you have to change trains.
'Indirekt' (indirect/indirectly) can stand as an adjective before a noun or describe a verb as an adverb. The form of the word does not change.
Das ist nur ein indirekter Beweis für seine Schuld.
That is only indirect evidence of his guilt.
In the meaning 'über einen Umweg' (by an indirect route / indirectly), 'indirekt' is often used in communication. Typical combinations are 'indirekter Hinweis' (indirect hint), 'indirekte Kritik' (indirect criticism), or 'indirekt andeuten' (to hint indirectly).
Das war eine indirekte Kritik an meiner Arbeit.
That was indirect criticism of my work.
In a grammatical context, the combination 'indirekte Rede' (indirect speech) is a fixed technical term. It describes the reporting of what was said in one's own words, often using Konjunktiv I.
Im Deutschunterricht lernen wir die Umwandlung in die indirekte Rede.
In German class, we learn how to transform sentences into indirect speech.
In connection with light, 'indirekte Beleuchtung' (indirect lighting) is a fixed term. It describes light that is reflected from walls or the ceiling and thus creates a soft atmosphere.
Für das Wohnzimmer planen wir eine indirekte Beleuchtung.
We are planning indirect lighting for the living room.
direct
'direkt' and 'indirekt' often form a clear contrast. 'direkt' means without a detour, without an intermediary, or open and clear. 'indirekt' means through a detour, through another person, or not completely openly. The words can be confused because both occur with routes, effects, and communication. The important question is: Is there a detour or mediation? If not, 'direkt' fits. If yes, 'indirekt' fits.
Die Nachricht erreicht mich nur indirekt über einen Kollegen.
The message only reaches me indirectly through a colleague.
Greta sagt dem Arzt direkt, welche Schmerzen sie hat.
Greta tells the doctor directly what kind of pain she has.