irgendwie
somehow
In an indefinite, not exactly known way.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen es irgendwie schaffen, den Zug noch zu erreichen.
We have to somehow manage to still catch the train.
irgendwie
somehow
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Meanings
irgendwie
somehow
Expresses a vague feeling or a slight qualification; means something like 'somewhat' or 'sort of'.
EXAMPLE
Der Film war gut, aber das Ende fand ich irgendwie seltsam.
The film was good, but I found the ending somehow strange.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Irgendwie' (somehow) consists of the prefix 'irgend-' and the question word 'wie' (how). The prefix 'irgend-' makes the question word indefinite and means 'in some not further specified way'.
EXAMPLE
Ich fühle mich heute irgendwie nicht gut.
I somehow don't feel well today.
Word order
'Irgendwie' (somehow) as an adverb usually stands in the middle of the sentence, often after the conjugated verb and the subject. It can refer to the verb or to the whole sentence.
EXAMPLE
Wir werden das Problem irgendwie lösen müssen.
We will somehow have to solve the problem.
Register and style
In the meaning of 'somewhat' or 'sort of', 'irgendwie' (somehow) is used very frequently in spoken language. It expresses uncertainty or softens a statement.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde seine Reaktion irgendwie übertrieben.
I find his reaction somehow exaggerated.
Compare with
irgendwie vs etwas
something / somewhat
Etwas and irgendwie can soften a cautious assessment. Etwas mainly reduces the degree of a clear property, while irgendwie expresses a vague feeling or classification. Use etwas for a low degree and irgendwie when you do not want to define your judgment precisely.
irgendwie
Der Film ist irgendwie seltsam.
The film is somehow strange.
etwas
Der Film ist etwas seltsam.
The film is somewhat strange.
In real life
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