virtual
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virtual
Not physically real, but artificially created or simulated through computer technology. Often refers to worlds, objects, or interactions on the internet or in software.
Wegen der Entfernung fand das Meeting in einem virtuellen Raum statt.
Because of the distance, the meeting took place in a virtual room.
virtual
Existing in terms of possibility or essence, but not actually or really existent. A property that is potentially present.
In der Physik beschreibt man virtuelle Teilchen, die nur für extrem kurze Zeit als Energiefluktuationen existieren.
In physics, virtual particles are described as particles that exist only for an extremely short time as energy fluctuations.
Unlike the English 'virtual', which can also mean 'practical' or 'almost', 'virtuell' in German refers almost exclusively to computer-generated realities. For the meaning 'almost' or 'nearly', German uses words like 'quasi' (virtually / basically) or 'so gut wie' (as good as / practically).
Er ist quasi der Chef der Abteilung.
He is basically the head of the department.
The most common use relates to technology. Typical combinations are 'virtuelle Realität' (virtual reality, VR), 'eine virtuelle Welt' (a virtual world), 'ein virtuelles Meeting' (a virtual meeting), or 'ein virtueller Rundgang' (a virtual tour).
Viele Museen bieten mittlerweile virtuelle Rundgänge an.
Many museums now offer virtual tours.
'Virtuell' (virtually) can also be used as an adverb and then describes how an action is carried out: over the internet or by computer.
Wir haben uns nur virtuell getroffen, aber nie persönlich.
We only met virtually, but never in person.
The meaning 'existing in essence' is very technical. It is mainly used in physics, e.g. 'virtuelle Teilchen' (virtual particles), or in philosophy.
Die Theorie beschreibt die Existenz von virtuellen Photonen.
The theory describes the existence of virtual photons.
online
Online emphasizes that a meeting takes place over the internet. Virtuell emphasizes its non-physical or computer-generated form, such as a simulated space. A virtuelle Besprechung usually takes place online, but not every online meeting uses such an environment.
Die Besprechung findet mit Avataren in einem virtuellen Konferenzraum statt.
The meeting takes place with avatars in a virtual conference room.
Die Besprechung findet online als einfache Videokonferenz statt.
The meeting takes place online as a simple video conference.
