Focus particle 'durchaus' (quite, certainly)

durchaus is a focus particle that reinforces a positive statement, roughly quite / certainly / perfectly well. It affirms something the listener might doubt or underestimate, lending the assertion weight.

It usually stands in the middle field next to the element it emphasises.

• Das ist durchaus möglich. - That is quite possible.
• Ich kann das durchaus verstehen. - I can certainly understand that.
• Der Plan hat durchaus Vorteile. - The plan does have advantages.

A special case is durchaus nicht, where the particle concedes or strengthens a negation: Das ist durchaus nicht selbstverständlich - that is by no means a given.

Common mistakes: In the affirmative sense durchaus is positive, so do not pair it with a negation unless you intend the conceding durchaus nicht. Confusing the two reverses your meaning. Keep it adverbial - it does not inflect.

'durchaus' (quite / certainly) reinforces a positive statement.

Reinforces a positive statement (quite/certainly).

'durchaus' bekräftigt eine positive Aussage (sehr wohl, ohne Weiteres).