01
rückblickend
in retrospect
Looking back on a past period or event and evaluating it from today's perspective.
example
Rückblickend war es die beste Entscheidung meines Lebens.
In retrospect, it was the best decision of my life.
rückblickend
retrospective
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
'Rückblickend' (looking back/in retrospect) is the present participle of the separable verb 'zurückblicken' (to look back). It literally means 'looking backward' and is used to talk about the past.
EXAMPLE
Der Sportler blickte auf eine erfolgreiche Karriere zurück.
The athlete looked back on a successful career.
Sentence position
Very often, 'rückblickend' (in retrospect) stands at the beginning of the sentence in position 1. In this case, the conjugated verb follows directly in position 2, before the subject.
EXAMPLE
Rückblickend hätte ich mich anders entscheiden sollen.
In retrospect, I should have made a different decision.
Typical use
The word is almost always used to evaluate a past situation from today's perspective. A very common fixed phrase is 'rückblickend betrachtet' (considered in retrospect).
EXAMPLE
Rückblickend betrachtet war der Umzug die richtige Entscheidung für unsere Familie.
Considered in retrospect, the move was the right decision for our family.
Compare with
rückblickend vs nachträglich
belated / subsequent
'nachträglich' and 'rückblickend' both relate to something in the past. 'nachträglich' means that you still do, change, or add something after an event. So it is about an action later on. 'rückblickend' means that you look back at the past from today's perspective and evaluate it. So it is more about thinking, remembering, or judging. The words can be confused because both come after an event. Remember: with 'nachträglich', you do something; with 'rückblickend', you see or judge something differently.
rückblickend
Rückblickend war die Pause nach der Krankheit genau richtig.
In retrospect, the break after the illness was exactly the right thing.
nachträglich
Zu Hause ergänzt Max nachträglich seine Notizen aus dem Unterricht.
At home, Max adds to his notes from class afterward.
In real life
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