apparently / seemingly
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apparently
Expresses that something looks or seems as if it were true, and one also assumes that it is. Synonymous with 'anscheinend' (apparently).
Die Straße ist nass, es hat scheinbar geregnet.
The street is wet; apparently it rained.
seeming / apparent
Expresses that something is so only according to outward appearances, but is actually different. It describes an illusion or a false impression.
Trotz der scheinbaren Ruhe in der Firma gab es im Hintergrund große Konflikte.
Despite the apparent calm in the company, there were major conflicts behind the scenes.
The word is made up of 'Schein' (appearance, semblance) and the ending '-bar' (-able). So literally, it means that something is only so according to appearances or appears that way.
Der scheinbare Erfolg der Firma war nur von kurzer Dauer.
The company's apparent success was only short-lived.
'Scheinbar' can mean two things: 1. It looks that way and probably is that way too. 2. It only looks that way, but is actually different. The context, often through words like 'aber' (but) or 'in Wirklichkeit' (in reality), makes clear whether it is an illusion.
Er ist heute nicht im Büro, er ist scheinbar krank.
He's not in the office today; apparently he's sick.
In everyday language, 'scheinbar' is usually used in the first meaning ('anscheinend', 'it looks like'). The second, more precise meaning ('only in appearance') is more often found in written language or formal contexts.
Die Sonne scheint, aber es ist scheinbar trotzdem kalt draußen.
The sun is shining, but apparently it's still cold outside.
'Scheinbar' can be used as an adverb to modify a verb or the whole sentence. But it can also stand directly before a noun as an adjective and is then declined.
Er hat scheinbar alles vergessen.
He has apparently forgotten everything.
obvious / apparently
Offensichtlich presents an impression as clearly recognizable and does not suggest that it is false. In this contrast, scheinbar usually indicates that the first impression is misleading. Offensichtlich is appropriate for a confirmed finding, while scheinbar describes an impression that is later disproved.
Die Tür war scheinbar verschlossen, ließ sich aber durch leichtes Drücken öffnen.
The door only seemed to be locked, but it opened with a gentle push.
Die Tür war offensichtlich verschlossen, denn durch das Fenster war der vorgeschobene Riegel zu sehen.
The door was obviously locked because the bolt could be seen through the window.
