supposed / alleged
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supposed / alleged
Describes something that is assumed or suspected but later turns out to be false or different. Synonymous with 'angeblich' (alleged / supposedly).
Der vermeintliche Experte hatte in Wahrheit keine Ahnung von dem Thema.
The supposed expert actually had no idea about the topic.
The word is derived from the verb 'meinen' (in the sense of 'to believe', 'to suppose'). It describes something that is only mistakenly believed or assumed to be true.
Der vermeintliche Gewinn war nur eine Werbemasche.
The supposed prize was just an advertising gimmick.
'Vermeintlich' (supposed / alleged) always signals a contrast between appearance and reality. The sentence or context usually makes it clear that the assumption was false.
Die vermeintliche Abkürzung stellte sich als großer Umweg heraus.
The supposed shortcut turned out to be a major detour.
'Vermeintlich' (supposed / alleged) is often used in reference to people or their qualities. Typical combinations are 'der vermeintliche Täter' (the alleged perpetrator), 'der vermeintliche Freund' (the supposed friend), or 'die vermeintliche Sicherheit' (the supposed security).
Die Polizei verhaftete den vermeintlichen Dieb, der aber unschuldig war.
The police arrested the alleged thief, but he was innocent.
so-called
Sogenannt picks up a term being used and can show that the speaker considers it inappropriate. Vermeintlich, by contrast, describes something that was believed to be true but turns out to be false or different. With a “solution,” sogenannt therefore concerns the name, while vermeintlich concerns the mistake.
Die vermeintliche Lösung schien zuerst zu funktionieren, löste das Problem aber nicht.
The supposed solution seemed to work at first, but it did not solve the problem.
Die sogenannte Lösung wurde von der Firma groß angekündigt, löste das Problem aber nicht.
The so-called solution was heavily promoted by the company, but it did not solve the problem.
