inständig
earnestly
Urgently, pleadingly, and emphatically. Describes the manner of a request, wish, or warning.
EXAMPLE
Sie bat ihn inständig, ihr zu helfen.
She earnestly asked him to help her.
inständig
earnestly
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Meanings
Usage tips
Sentence structure and usage
'Inständig' (earnestly) is almost always used as an adverb that describes a verb more closely. Its use as an adjective before a noun (e.g. 'eine inständige Bitte' — an earnest plea) is rare and often sounds formal or literary.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mich inständig gebeten, ihm noch eine Chance zu geben.
He earnestly asked me to give him one more chance.
Typical collocations
The word is typically combined with verbs of asking, wishing, or warning. Common combinations are 'inständig bitten' (to earnestly ask), 'inständig flehen' (to plead earnestly), 'inständig hoffen' (to fervently hope), and 'inständig warnen' (to urgently warn).
EXAMPLE
Wir hoffen inständig, dass alles gut wird.
We fervently hope that everything will turn out well.
Word formation
The word is connected with 'in' (in) and 'stehen' (to stand). It expresses that someone 'stands by' their request or wish and does not give in, meaning they insist on it.
EXAMPLE
Sie flehte inständig um Verzeihung.
She pleaded earnestly for forgiveness.
Compare with
inständig vs dringend
urgent / urgently
When used with a request, “dringend” emphasizes that an answer or action cannot wait. “Inständig,” by contrast, describes the pleading and emphatic way in which someone makes a request. Use “dringend” for objective time pressure and “inständig” for a request made out of great personal distress.
inständig
Ich bitte dich inständig, mir in dieser schwierigen Lage zu helfen.
I earnestly ask you to help me in this difficult situation.
dringend
Ich bitte dringend um eine Antwort bis morgen.
I urgently request an answer by tomorrow.
In real life
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