vollkommen
completely
Means fully, entirely, or absolutely. It is often used as an adverb to intensify an adjective or an opinion.
EXAMPLE
Das ist eine vollkommen neue Situation für uns.
This is a completely new situation for us.
vollkommen
complete / perfect
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Meanings
vollkommen
perfect
Describes something that is perfect, flawless, or immaculate.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Suche nach der vollkommenen Harmonie reiste er um die Welt.
In search of perfect harmony, he traveled around the world.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Vollkommen' is made up of 'voll' (full) and the participle of 'kommen' (to come). The literal idea is that something has 'come to fullness,' meaning it is complete or perfect.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Spaziergang herrschte vollkommene Stille im Haus.
After the long walk, there was perfect silence in the house.
Two grammatical roles
'Vollkommen' can be used as an adverb for emphasis (meaning 1) or as a normal adjective (meaning 2). As an adverb, it is not declined; as an adjective before a noun, it is.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin mit deiner Arbeit vollkommen zufrieden.
I am completely satisfied with your work.
Typical intensifiers
In its role as an adverb, 'vollkommen' often intensifies adjectives or opinions. Typical combinations are 'vollkommen richtig' (completely right), 'vollkommen falsch' (completely wrong), 'vollkommen egal' (completely irrelevant), or 'vollkommen ausreichend' (completely sufficient).
EXAMPLE
Es ist vollkommen egal, ob wir heute oder morgen anfangen.
It is completely irrelevant whether we start today or tomorrow.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'perfect,' 'vollkommen' is often combined with abstract nouns, such as 'vollkommene Harmonie' (perfect harmony), 'vollkommene Stille' (perfect silence), or 'vollkommene Dunkelheit' (complete darkness).
EXAMPLE
Für einen Moment herrschte vollkommene Stille im Raum.
For a moment, there was perfect silence in the room.
Compare with
vollkommen vs völlig
completely
Völlig and vollkommen can strongly intensify an adjective or a statement. Völlig neutrally emphasizes the full degree, while vollkommen can also sound more elevated and sometimes give a value judgment suggesting perfection. Use völlig in everyday situations and vollkommen when the stylistic or evaluative nuance fits.
vollkommen
Mit dieser eleganten Lösung war der Kunde vollkommen zufrieden.
The customer was completely satisfied with this elegant solution.
völlig
Nach der guten Nachricht war sie völlig zufrieden.
She was completely satisfied after hearing the good news.
In real life
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