unmittelbar
immediate
Direct, with no temporal or spatial distance; following right away or directly adjacent.
EXAMPLE
Das Hotel liegt in unmittelbarer Nähe zum Strand.
The hotel is in the immediate vicinity of the beach.
unmittelbar
immediate / direct
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Meanings
unmittelbar
direct
Happening directly and without detours or intermediate steps; directly affecting something.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Regelung hat unmittelbare Auswirkungen auf unseren Arbeitsalltag.
The new regulation has direct effects on our everyday work.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is easy to understand if you analyze its parts: 'un-' (not) + 'Mittel' (something in between) + '-bar'. So 'unmittelbar' (immediate/direct) literally means that there is nothing in between—spatially, temporally, or figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Zwischen den beiden Ereignissen bestand ein unmittelbarer Zusammenhang.
There was a direct connection between the two events.
Spatial and temporal
For spatial closeness, the phrase 'in unmittelbarer Nähe' (in the immediate vicinity) is often used. For temporal closeness, 'unmittelbar' (immediately) is frequently combined with the prepositions 'vor' (before) or 'nach' (after).
EXAMPLE
Die Apotheke befindet sich in unmittelbarer Nähe des Arztes.
The pharmacy is located in the immediate vicinity of the doctor's office.
Typical collocations
In a figurative sense, 'unmittelbar' (direct/immediate) is often combined with nouns that express a direct connection or consequence. Typical phrases are 'unmittelbare Auswirkungen' (direct effects), 'unmittelbare Folgen' (immediate consequences), or 'unmittelbare Gefahr' (immediate danger).
EXAMPLE
Die Entscheidung hatte unmittelbare Folgen für alle Mitarbeiter.
The decision had immediate consequences for all employees.
Use as an adverb
'Unmittelbar' (immediately/directly) can also be used as an adverb to intensify a preposition or another adverb. It then means 'direkt' (directly) or 'genau' (exactly).
EXAMPLE
Unser Ferienhaus liegt unmittelbar am Strand.
Our vacation home is located directly on the beach.
Compare with
unmittelbar vs direkt
direct
When referring to effects, direkt and unmittelbar are often both possible. Direkt generally describes an effect without an intermediate step; unmittelbar places stronger emphasis on the fact that no mediating factor lies in between. Direkt is usually suitable for a neutral everyday statement, while unmittelbar is suitable for this particular emphasis.
unmittelbar
Die neue Gebühr belastet unmittelbar unser Monatsbudget, ohne dass eine weitere Stelle beteiligt ist.
The new fee directly burdens our monthly budget, without any other office being involved.
direkt
Die neue Gebühr wirkt sich direkt auf unser Monatsbudget aus.
The new fee directly affects our monthly budget.
In real life
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