ordentlich
neat
Tidy, clean, and well organized. The opposite of messy or chaotic.
EXAMPLE
Sein Schreibtisch ist immer sehr ordentlich.
His desk is always very neat.
ordentlich
neat / proper
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Meanings
ordentlich
quite a lot
Colloquial for 'very' or 'quite a lot'. Used as an intensifier to express a large amount or high intensity.
EXAMPLE
Wir hatten gestern Abend ordentlich Spaß auf der Party.
We had quite a lot of fun at the party last night.
ordentlich
proper
In accordance with rules or norms; correct and decent. Refers to behavior or formal processes.
EXAMPLE
Bitte reichen Sie einen ordentlichen Antrag mit allen Unterlagen ein.
Please submit a proper application with all the documents.
ordentlich
regular
Regular or scheduled in an official or legal sense. Often used in fixed terms such as 'ordentliches Mitglied' (full member) or 'ordentliches Gericht' (ordinary court).
EXAMPLE
Nach ihrer Probezeit wurde sie zum ordentlichen Mitglied des Vereins ernannt.
After her probationary period, she was appointed a full member of the club.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'ordentlich' (neat/proper) is derived from the noun 'die Ordnung' (order). Everything that is 'ordentlich' has some form of order or structure.
EXAMPLE
Nachdem sie aufgeräumt hatte, war ihr Zimmer wieder ordentlich.
After she had tidied up, her room was neat again.
Context clue
The meaning of 'ordentlich' depends strongly on the context. If it refers to a room, it means 'aufgeräumt' (tidy). If it comes before a noun like 'Spaß' (fun) or 'Hunger' (hunger), it means 'viel' (a lot). In formal documents, it often means 'regelkonform' (compliant with the rules).
EXAMPLE
Bitte füllen Sie das Formular ordentlich aus.
Please fill out the form properly.
Colloquial intensifier
In colloquial speech, 'ordentlich' is often used as an adverb to intensify an amount or degree. It then means 'sehr' (very) or 'viel' (a lot) and is not declined.
EXAMPLE
Das hat ordentlich Geld gekostet.
That cost quite a lot of money.
Fixed combinations
In formal or legal contexts, 'ordentlich' is part of fixed terms. Examples are 'ordentliches Mitglied' (full member) or 'ordentlicher Professor' (full professor/chair holder).
EXAMPLE
Er wurde zum ordentlichen Professor an der Universität berufen.
He was appointed full professor at the university.
Compare with
sauberkorrektvernünftigsorgfältigorganisiertreguläranständiggeordnetgehörigredlichsolidstrammtüchtigsäuberlich
ordentlich vs sauber
clean
A room can be both ordentlich and sauber, but the words emphasize different things. Sauber mainly means free of dirt, while ordentlich highlights the arrangement and the tidy overall impression. Use sauber for dirt or stains and ordentlich for messiness.
ordentlich
Das Zimmer ist ordentlich, weil alle Bücher im Regal stehen.
The room is neat because all the books are on the shelf.
sauber
Das Zimmer ist sauber, weil der Boden gründlich gewischt wurde.
The room is clean because the floor was thoroughly mopped.
In real life
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