indirect
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indirect
Not occurring in a direct way, but indirectly, through the mediation of something or someone. The opposite of 'unmittelbar' (immediate/direct).
Die neuen Gesetze haben nur mittelbare Auswirkungen auf unser tägliches Leben.
The new laws have only indirect effects on our daily life.
The word is derived from 'das Mittel' (the means). Something that happens 'mittelbar' (indirectly) does not happen directly, but through a 'Mittel' (means), that is, an intermediate step or mediating institution.
Die Information erreichte uns nur auf mittelbarem Weg.
The information reached us only by an indirect route.
'Mittelbar' (indirect) is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Auswirkung' (effect), 'Folge' (consequence), 'Einfluss' (influence), or 'Zusammenhang' (connection).
Die Entscheidung der Regierung hatte einen mittelbaren Einfluss auf die lokale Wirtschaft.
The government's decision had an indirect influence on the local economy.
This adjective belongs to a rather formal style of language. It is often found in legal, political, or academic texts.
Er ist nur mittelbar für den Schaden verantwortlich.
He is only indirectly responsible for the damage.
indirect
Indirekt and mittelbar both describe a route or effect through an intermediary person or thing. Mittelbar usually sounds more formal, while indirekt is also common in everyday language. In such cases, the factual difference is often small.
Im formellen Bericht steht, dass die neue Regel Anna mittelbar über den Vermieter betrifft.
The formal report states that the new rule affects Anna indirectly through her landlord.
Im Gespräch erklärt Anna, dass die neue Regel sie indirekt über den Vermieter betrifft.
In the conversation, Anna explains that the new rule affects her indirectly through her landlord.
