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nicht unbedingt

not necessarily; not exactly

adverb nikht un-be-DINKT Rare
Communication Responses

Also means

not absolutely; not quite

Usage Note

Nicht unbedingt is a cautious, hedging negative — 'not necessarily': Das stimmt nicht unbedingt ('That's not necessarily true'). It softens a contradiction without outright denial. It is very common in German conversation and argumentation as a polite way of disagreeing or qualifying a claim.

Examples

"„War das die beste Entscheidung?” – „Nicht unbedingt.”"

Natural Translation

'Was that the best decision?' – 'Not necessarily.'

Literal Translation

'Was that the best decision?' – 'Not necessarily.'

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