offenkundig
obvious
So clear and evident that it is easy for everyone to recognize or understand; obvious.
EXAMPLE
Es war offenkundig, dass er mit der Situation überfordert war.
It was obvious that he was overwhelmed by the situation.
offenkundig
obvious
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Meanings
offenkundig
evident
In the legal sense, a fact that is so generally known or has already been clearly established in the proceedings that it requires no further proof in court.
EXAMPLE
Dass der 1. Januar ein Feiertag ist, ist eine offenkundige Tatsache.
That January 1 is a public holiday is an evident fact.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'offen' (open) and 'kundig' (knowledgeable/known). 'Kundig' derives from 'Kunde' (news, knowledge). Something that is 'offenkundig' (obvious) is therefore 'openly known' or visible to everyone.
EXAMPLE
Seine Freude über das Geschenk war offenkundig.
His joy about the gift was obvious.
Sentence position as an adverb
'Offenkundig' (obviously) can stand at the beginning of a sentence as an adverb to comment on the whole sentence. In this case, the verb follows directly in second position (inversion).
EXAMPLE
Offenkundig hatte niemand die Anweisungen gelesen.
Obviously, no one had read the instructions.
Register
'Offenkundig' (obvious) belongs more to written language or more formal usage. It often sounds somewhat elevated or emphasizes clarity more strongly.
EXAMPLE
Der Widerspruch in seiner Aussage ist offenkundig.
The contradiction in his statement is obvious.
Context clue
You can recognize the legal meaning from the context. When it is about a court, a trial, evidence, or a 'Tatsache' (fact), this special meaning is usually intended.
EXAMPLE
Dass Wasser bei null Grad gefriert, ist eine offenkundige Tatsache und muss nicht bewiesen werden.
That water freezes at zero degrees is an evident fact and does not need to be proven.
Compare with
offenkundig vs offensichtlich
obvious / apparently
Offensichtlich and offenkundig can both describe a clearly recognizable fact. Offenkundig usually sounds more formal and emphasizes the clarity more strongly, while offensichtlich also works well in everyday conversation. Here, the difference is mainly one of style, not content.
offenkundig
Die Lösung ist offenkundig falsch, heißt es in der schriftlichen Begründung.
The solution is clearly wrong, the written explanation states.
offensichtlich
Die Lösung ist offensichtlich falsch, sagte Nina im Gespräch.
The solution is obviously wrong, Nina said during the conversation.
In real life
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