reality
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reality
The totality of what is real and actually exists, as opposed to appearance, fantasy, dream, or imagination.
Seine Pläne klangen gut, aber die Wirklichkeit sah leider ganz anders aus.
His plans sounded good, but unfortunately reality looked completely different.
'Wirklichkeit' (reality) is a noun derived from the adjective 'wirklich' (real). The ending '-keit' is often used in German to form abstract nouns from adjectives.
Die Wirklichkeit ist oft komplizierter als die Theorie.
Reality is often more complicated than theory.
Common phrases are 'zur Wirklichkeit werden' (to become reality), 'der Wirklichkeit entsprechen' (to correspond to reality / be true), or the contrast 'Traum und Wirklichkeit' (dream and reality).
Sein Traum, Pilot zu werden, ist endlich Wirklichkeit geworden.
His dream of becoming a pilot has finally become reality.
The expression 'in Wirklichkeit' (in reality) often appears at the beginning of a sentence in position 1. In that case, the conjugated verb moves to position 2, directly before the subject (inversion).
Er wirkt sehr entspannt. In Wirklichkeit ist er aber extrem aufgeregt.
He seems very relaxed. In reality, however, he is extremely nervous.
really
'wirklich' and 'Wirklichkeit' are connected in meaning because both have to do with what is real or actual. 'wirklich' is an adverb or adjective and describes or emphasizes a statement: something really happened. 'die Wirklichkeit' is a noun and means the real world or what actually exists. In the fixed expression 'in Wirklichkeit' (in reality), it means something similar to 'wirklich' or 'tatsächlich' (actually), often with a contrast to a first impression. Learners may confuse the words because they look similar. Pay attention to the grammar: 'wirklich' describes; 'die Wirklichkeit' names reality.
In Wirklichkeit bleibt die Mitarbeiterin heute zu Hause.
In reality, the employee is staying home today.
Frau Fischer freut sich im Sommer wirklich auf den Urlaub.
Ms. Fischer is really looking forward to the vacation this summer.