real
Actually existing, corresponding to reality and not merely imagined, invented, or theoretical.
EXAMPLE
Die Gefahr eines Stromausfalls ist durchaus real.
The danger of a power outage is quite real.
real
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
real
In economics: adjusted for prices, meaning describing the actual value after deducting inflation.
EXAMPLE
Das nominale Gehalt ist gestiegen, aber das reale Einkommen ist gesunken.
The nominal salary has risen, but real income has fallen.
real
Colloquial, especially in youth language: authentic, genuine, honest, and unaffected.
EXAMPLE
Ich mag sie, weil sie immer total real ist und sagt, was sie denkt.
I like her because she's always totally real and says what she thinks.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In its basic meaning, 'real' is often used with abstract nouns to emphasize that they actually exist. Typical combinations are 'eine reale Gefahr' (a real danger), 'eine reale Chance' (a real chance), or 'ein reales Problem' (a real problem).
EXAMPLE
Es besteht eine reale Chance, das Projekt noch zu retten.
There is a real chance of still saving the project.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning 'adjusted for prices' from the context. It is used almost exclusively in economic contexts with words like 'Einkommen' (income), 'Lohn' (wage), 'Zins' (interest), or 'Wachstum' (growth).
EXAMPLE
Die Zinsen sind zwar hoch, aber der reale Gewinn ist nach Inflation gering.
Interest rates are high, but the real profit after inflation is low.
Register: colloquial
The meaning 'authentic' or 'honest' is typical of colloquial and youth language. It is rarely used in formal or written contexts.
EXAMPLE
Er versucht immer, cool zu sein, aber das wirkt einfach nicht real.
He always tries to be cool, but it just doesn't seem real.
Compare with
real vs wirklich
really
wirklich can confirm in a sentence that something is in fact the case. real, on the other hand, describes something as having the property of existing in reality rather than merely being imagined. Use wirklich to confirm a statement and real to describe the object or state.
real
Der Schatz ist real und liegt nun im Museum.
The treasure is real and is now in the museum.
wirklich
Der Schatz wurde wirklich gefunden, wie die Fotos beweisen.
The treasure really was found, as the photos prove.
In real life
Loading video examples...