legal
In accordance with legal regulations; permitted or allowed by law.
EXAMPLE
Der Download dieser Software ist vollkommen legal.
Downloading this software is completely legal.
legal
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
'Legal' (legal) is an international word that comes from the Latin word 'lex' for 'law'. This makes it easy to understand in many languages.
EXAMPLE
Die Anwältin prüft, ob das Vorgehen des Unternehmens legal war.
The lawyer is checking whether the company's approach was legal.
Word structure
The opposite of 'legal' (legal) is formed with the prefix 'il-': 'illegal' (illegal). This type of negation with 'il-', 'ir-', or 'in-' is typical of words of Latin origin.
EXAMPLE
Das Parken in dieser Zone ist illegal und wird mit einer Geldstrafe geahndet.
Parking in this zone is illegal and is punishable by a fine.
Register
The word 'legal' (legal) is used primarily in formal, official, or legal contexts when the issue is compliance with laws.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen einen legalen Weg finden, um das Projekt zu finanzieren.
We need to find a legal way to finance the project.
Typical collocations
Common phrases are 'auf legalem Weg' (by legal means), 'legale Mittel nutzen' (to use legal means), or something 'legal machen' (to make something legal). It describes actions that are in accordance with the law.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Vermögen auf völlig legalem Weg erworben.
He acquired his fortune by completely legal means.
Compare with
legal vs rechtlich
legal
Rechtlich and legal can both express that something is permitted by law. Legal sounds more everyday and directly describes an action as permitted, while rechtlich is especially suited to a more formal statement about the legal situation. The difference in meaning is small.
legal
Im Alltag fragt der Kunde kurz, ob der Verkauf legal ist.
In everyday conversation, the customer simply asks whether the sale is legal.
rechtlich
Nach sorgfältiger Prüfung ist der Verkauf rechtlich erlaubt.
After careful review, the sale is legally permitted.
In real life
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