irrtümlich

erroneously, by mistake

adverb IR-tuem-likh Rare

Usage Note

Irrtümlich indicates that something was done or believed in error, without intent to deceive. Er hat irrtümlich die falsche Taste gedrückt is milder than absichtlich. It is the standard formal way to say 'by mistake' in German.

Examples

"Das Paket wurde irrtümlich an die falsche Adresse geliefert."

Natural Translation

The parcel was delivered to the wrong address by mistake.

Literal Translation

The parcel was erroneously to the wrong address delivered.

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