All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| anscheinend | apparently; seemingly true | an inference from available signs | adverb; unchanged; modifies a statement |
| scheinbar | only apparent; not real | misleading appearances; superficial impressions | adjective; scheinbare before nouns; also adverbial |
anscheinend
Meaning and usage: Anscheinend presents a judgment based on appearances or other available indications. You might infer that a shop is closed because its lights are off. The word signals a supposition rather than certainty, but it does not mean that the supposition must be false.
Grammar: Duden classifies anscheinend as an adverb. It does not take adjective endings: anscheinend ist …; … ist anscheinend … . Before an adjective, it modifies that adjective without changing: eine anscheinend einfache Aufgabe. In that phrase, einfache carries the noun phrase's ending.
Die Bahn kommt anscheinend später als geplant.
The train apparently arrives later than planned.
Das ist eine anscheinend einfache Aufgabe.
This is an apparently easy task.
scheinbar
Meaning and usage: Scheinbar in its careful contrasting sense says that appearances are misleading. A seemingly easy task can turn out to be difficult. The word does not necessarily imply deliberate deception: a contradiction can be merely apparent without anyone trying to mislead anybody.
Grammar: Duden's adjective entry permits inflected forms: ein scheinbarer Widerspruch. Used predicatively or adverbially, it stays scheinbar: die Lösung ist nur scheinbar einfach. Duden also records a colloquial adverb meaning anscheinend, so actual speech does not always maintain the careful contrast.
Die Aufgabe war nur scheinbar einfach; wir brauchten eine Stunde.
The task was only apparently easy; we needed an hour.
Zwischen den Aussagen besteht ein scheinbarer Widerspruch.
There is an apparent contradiction between the statements.
Overlap and context
Anscheinend ist sie zufrieden presents satisfaction as a plausible inference. Sie ist nur scheinbar zufrieden says that the satisfaction is an appearance rather than reality. Without nur or further context, everyday scheinbar may carry either intended meaning. You cannot reliably infer dishonesty or falsity just from hearing the word in casual conversation.
Common mistakes
- Do not write scheinbar when you want a clear, careful statement that something is probably true.
- Do not say anscheinend means definitely true: it presents an inference.
- Do not assume every conversational scheinbar asserts an illusion; Duden recognizes everyday overlap.
- Do not add an adjective ending to anscheinend in eine anscheinend gute Lösung.
Memory aid: Anscheinend: the signs suggest yes. Nur scheinbar: the surface says yes, reality says no.
Try it
You thought an exercise would be easy, but it was difficult. Complete: Sie war nur ___ leicht.
Show the answer
scheinbar
The ease was an appearance that did not match reality. Anscheinend would instead present ease as a plausible inference.