Meaning
Indicate an estimate or approximation.
Cultural Background
Despite the stereotype of precision, Germans use 'so ungefähr' to avoid social friction when they aren't 100% certain. In Austria, 'so ungefähr' is often replaced by 'eh' or 'passt schon' in very casual settings to imply things are 'roughly' okay. Swiss German speakers might use 'öppe' instead of 'ungefähr' in dialect, but 'so ungefähr' is standard in High German contexts.
The End Position
Always put 'so ungefähr' at the end of your sentence to sound most like a native speaker.
Precision Matters
Don't use this with your boss if they asked for a final report!
Meaning
Indicate an estimate or approximation.
The End Position
Always put 'so ungefähr' at the end of your sentence to sound most like a native speaker.
Precision Matters
Don't use this with your boss if they asked for a final report!
Vague Agreement
Use it as a one-word answer to show you're following a story without needing to be exact.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to say 'It costs 20 Euros, roughly.'
Das kostet zwanzig Euro, ___ ___.
'So ungefähr' at the end of the sentence provides the estimate.
Which response means 'Something like that'?
Hast du das Buch schon gelesen? - ___.
It indicates you haven't read it perfectly but know the gist.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wie viele Leute kommen zur Party? B: ___ ___ dreißig, denke ich.
While 'ungefähr dreißig' is common, 'so ungefähr dreißig' adds a conversational filler feel.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesDas kostet zwanzig Euro, ___ ___.
'So ungefähr' at the end of the sentence provides the estimate.
Hast du das Buch schon gelesen? - ___.
It indicates you haven't read it perfectly but know the gist.
A: Wie viele Leute kommen zur Party? B: ___ ___ dreißig, denke ich.
While 'ungefähr dreißig' is common, 'so ungefähr dreißig' adds a conversational filler feel.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but 'so ungefähr' sounds more natural and conversational.
No, it's neutral. It's only 'rude' if you are being intentionally evasive about something important.
'Etwa' is more common in writing; 'ungefähr' is more common in speaking.
Yes, e.g., 'Es waren zehn Leute, so ungefähr.'
The 'so' makes it more demonstrative, like saying 'about *that* much'.
Related Phrases
In etwa
synonymApproximately
Über den Daumen gepeilt
idiomRule of thumb
Plus minus
similarGive or take
So um den Dreh
informalAround that point
