# wohl

wohl is a German adverb meaning “possibly”.

## In other languages

- Русский: хорошо, приятно
- Українська: добре, приємно

## Meanings

1. possibly, probably; as I was told (modal particle expressing an assumption, often like English must + infinitive, or (US) guess + clause)
   - Er ist wohl schon gegangen. — He must have left already. / I guess he has left already.
2. of course, indeed (modal particle adding stress to the statement to contradict a preceding one, often like English do + infinitive)
   - Du warst ja noch nie in Frankreich. − Ich war wohl schon in Frankreich! — "Since you've never been to France..." − "Of course I've been to France!"
3. _regional_ actually, somehow, quite (modal particle making the statement weaker or expressing a concession)
   - Was habt ihr denn alle mit der Suppe? Ich find die wohl nicht schlecht. — "Why are you all complaining about the soup? I don't find it all that bad, actually."
4. _polite form_ well, very well
   - Ihr habt wohl gesprochen, mein Herr! — "Ye have spoken well, my lord!"
5. _regional · in Austria · in response to a negative question or statement_ yes; surely; really; on the contrary
   - Das stimmt nicht. — Wohl! — That's not correct. — Yes, it is!

## Examples

- Mary geht es doch wohl gut, oder? — Mary is fine, isn't she?
- Es wird wohl bald zu regnen anfangen. — It'll probably start to rain soon.
- Ob Tom wohl eine hübsche Tochter hat? — I wonder if Tom's daughter is pretty.
- Ich hätte wohl zu Hause bleiben sollen. — I guess I should've stayed home.
- Ich werde wohl zu Hause bleiben müssen. — I guess I'll have to stay home.

## Related words

- Synonym: vermutlich, oja

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Sources: Meanings and forms from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0); example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).
URL: https://wordwide.space/de-en/wort/wohl