01
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
'dringend' and 'inständig' can both show, with requests, wishes, or warnings, that something is very important. 'dringend' is more neutral and very common in everyday language: you urgently need something or urgently ask for a reply. 'inständig' sounds more personal and more emotional. It fits especially when someone asks or warns very seriously, almost pleadingly. That is why 'inständig' is not suitable for every normal kind of hurry. A memory aid: 'dringend' mainly means absolutely necessary, while 'inständig' means with a lot of feeling and great seriousness.
inständig
Die Mutter bat ihr Kind inständig, nicht allein zum See zu gehen.
The mother earnestly begged her child not to go to the lake alone.
dringend
Bitte ruf mich dringend zurück, wenn du die Nachricht hörst.
Please call me back urgently when you hear the message.
In real life
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