informal
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informal
Not bound by fixed rules, forms, or official regulations; relaxed, casual, and personal. The opposite of formal.
Nach der Konferenz gab es ein informelles Treffen in einer Bar.
After the conference, there was an informal meeting in a bar.
The word is the opposite of 'formell' (formal). The prefix 'in-' here means 'not', similar to many international words (e.g. 'in-aktiv' (inactive), 'in-direkt' (indirect)). If you know 'formell' (formal), you can easily understand 'informell' (informal).
Die Kleiderordnung für die Party ist informell.
The dress code for the party is informal.
'Informell' (informal) is often used to describe a certain type of social interaction or atmosphere. Typical combinations are: 'ein informelles Gespräch' (an informal conversation), 'ein informelles Treffen' (an informal meeting), 'eine informelle Atmosphäre' (an informal atmosphere), or 'informelle Kleidung' (informal clothing).
Wir trafen uns zu einem informellen Gespräch im Café.
We met for an informal conversation at the café.
'Informell' (informally) can also be used as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out. It then usually comes after the verb.
Wir können uns gerne informell austauschen, bevor wir eine offizielle Sitzung ansetzen.
We can gladly exchange ideas informally before we schedule an official meeting.
official
'offiziell' and 'informell' are often opposites. Use 'offiziell' when something is officially confirmed, happens in an official role, or feels very formal. 'informell' means that something is relaxed, personal, and not strictly bound to fixed rules. Learners may confuse the words because both can appear with conversations, meetings, or news. The direction is important: an 'offizielles Schreiben' (official letter) comes, for example, from an authority or company; an 'informelles Gespräch' (informal conversation) is more likely to happen without a fixed framework.
Selma trifft den Vermieter heute nur zu einem informellen Gespräch.
Selma is meeting the landlord today only for an informal conversation.
Nach dem Gespräch im Krankenhaus bekam er eine offizielle Bestätigung.
After the conversation at the hospital, he received an official confirmation.