egentligen

Swedish

Etymology

egentlig +‎ -en

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈjɛntlɪ(ɡ)ɛn/, (colloquial) /ɪˈjɛŋklɪ(ɡ)ɛn/
• Compare the colloquial pronunciation, where -änt becomes -enk, with äntligen and ordentlig.

Adverb

egentligen (not comparable)

1. actually, really, in truth, "in actual reality" (in truth, contrary to a previous claim or what one might think or the like)

   Synonym: i själva verket

   Det heter egentligen inte så

   It's not actually (in truth, according to some authority or the like) called that

   Barr och löv är egentligen samma sak

   Needles and leaves are actually (in truth, contrary to what one might think) the same thing

   Jag ville egentligen gå på bio, men om du hellre stannar hemma så gör jag det med

   I actually (in truth, contrary to what you might have thought or the plans we decided on or the like) wanted to go to the movies, but if you prefer to stay at home, I’ll do so too

   Egentligen måste ni bifoga en G7-blankett också, men låt gå för den här gången

   Strictly speaking [in actual reality], you must include a G7 form as well, but I'll accept it this time

See also

• verkligen
• faktiskt

References

• egentligen in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• egentligen in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)