offiziell
official
Confirmed or authorized by an authority, a government, or another official body; formal/authorized.
EXAMPLE
Die offizielle Bestätigung des Ergebnisses steht noch aus.
The official confirmation of the result is still pending.
offiziell
official
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Meanings
offiziell
official
In an official capacity or on official business.
EXAMPLE
Der Minister ist auf einer offiziellen Reise in Asien.
The minister is on an official trip in Asia.
offiziell
formal
Formal and impersonal in interactions; stiff.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der offiziellen Atmosphäre war die Stimmung gut.
Despite the formal atmosphere, the mood was good.
Usage tips
Adjective and adverb
'Offiziell' (official) can stand before a noun as an adjective and is then declined. It can also be used as an adverb to describe a verb, and then it remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Das ist die offizielle Webseite des Museums.
This is the museum's official website.
Word formation
The word comes from the Latin 'officium' (office, duty/service). The opposite is formed simply with the prefix 'in-': 'inoffiziell' means informal or not official.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Politiker trafen sich zu einem inoffiziellen Gespräch.
The two politicians met for an unofficial conversation.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'amtlich' (official/authorized), 'offiziell' (official) is often combined with nouns that describe information or documents. Typical examples are 'offizielle Bestätigung' (official confirmation), 'offizielle Zahlen' (official figures), or 'offizielle Mitteilung' (official announcement).
EXAMPLE
Die offizielle Mitteilung wird erst morgen veröffentlicht.
The official announcement will not be published until tomorrow.
Context clue: formal
When 'offiziell' (official/formal) describes an atmosphere or the way people interact, it means 'förmlich' (formal) or 'distanziert' (distant). It then describes a lack of personal warmth.
EXAMPLE
Bitte sei bei dem Treffen nicht zu offiziell, wir kennen uns doch schon lange.
Please don't be too formal at the meeting; we've known each other for a long time.
Compare with
offiziell vs amtlich
official
Offiziell and amtlich can both refer to confirmed information. Offiziell is broader and also applies to confirmation by other recognized authorities. Amtlich more narrowly points to an office or authority and emphasizes the legally binding nature.
offiziell
Die Universität veröffentlichte die offizielle Bestätigung seiner Zulassung.
The university published the official confirmation of his admission.
amtlich
Das Bürgeramt stellte ihm eine amtliche Bestätigung seines Wohnsitzes aus.
The citizens' office issued him an official confirmation of his residence.
In real life
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