Degree adverbs in German express the intensity or degree of an action, quality, or another adverb. They answer questions like “how much?”, “to what extent?”, or “how strongly?”. Unlike many other adverbs, degree adverbs do not change form according to case, number, or gender.

The Function of Degree Adverbs

Degree adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs by indicating the level or extent of something.

They add intensity or limit to the meaning of the word they modify.
They help express nuances such as “slightly,” “very,” “almost,” or “too much.”
They are usually placed directly before the word they modify.

Common Degree Adverbs in German

These are some of the most frequently used degree adverbs in German, along with their English equivalents.

German Adverb	English Equivalent	Example (German)	Example (English)
sehr	very	Das ist sehr gut.	That is very good.
zu	too	Das ist zu teuer.	That is too expensive.
ziemlich	quite	Er ist ziemlich müde.	He is quite tired.
etwas	somewhat/a bit	Ich bin etwas müde.	I am a bit tired.
total	totally/completely	Sie ist total glücklich.	She is totally happy.
ganz	quite/entirely	Das ist ganz einfach.	That is quite simple.
besonders	especially	Das ist besonders wichtig.	That is especially important.
kaum	hardly	Er schläft kaum.	He hardly sleeps.
fast	almost	Ich bin fast fertig.	I am almost finished.

Placement of Degree Adverbs

Degree adverbs are generally placed immediately before the word they modify, whether it’s a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

Before adjectives and other adverbs:

Sie ist sehr klug. (She is very smart.)
Er arbeitet ziemlich schnell. (He works quite fast.)

Before verbs (less common and often for emphasis):

Ich gehe schon. (I’m already going.)
Er hat kaum geschlafen. (He has hardly slept.)

Within verb phrases:

In sentences with auxiliary verbs, the degree adverb usually appears before the past participle or main verb.

Ich habe ziemlich viel gearbeitet. (I have worked quite a lot.)
Sie wird besonders schnell laufen. (She will run especially fast.)

Is it more common for degree adverbs to appear before verbs or before adjectives/other adverbs?

After objects.

Before adjectives and other adverbs.

Before verbs (usually).

At the end of sentences.

Before adjectives and other adverbs.

Degree adverbs most commonly appear before adjectives and other adverbs. Their appearance before verbs is less common and often used for emphasis.

Special Usage Notes

. “zu” + adjective/adverb

Always followed by an adjective or adverb.
Expresses a negative excessiveness.
Example: Das ist zu schwer. (That is too heavy.)

. “etwas” vs. “ein bisschen”

Both mean “a little” or “somewhat,” but etwas is more formal/literary.
Ein bisschen is more conversational.
Examples:

Ich bin etwas müde.
Ich bin ein bisschen müde.

. “fast” vs. “beinahe”

Both mean “almost,” but beinahe is slightly more formal.
Example: Ich habe fast das Ziel erreicht.

. “ganz” before past participles

Ganz can mean “completely” when placed before past participles.
Example: Das ist ganz vergessen. (That is completely forgotten.)

. Intensifiers: “total,” “richtig,” “super”

These are more colloquial and add strong emphasis.
Examples:

Das ist total falsch.
Das ist richtig teuer.
Sie ist super nett.

What must always follow the degree adverb 'zu' in German?

A preposition.

An adjective or adverb.

A noun.

A verb.

An adjective or adverb.

The degree adverb 'zu' is always followed by an adjective or adverb and expresses a negative excessiveness (e.g., 'zu schwer').

Summary

Degree adverbs are a crucial part of German grammar, allowing speakers to express varying levels of intensity and nuance. By placing these adverbs correctly and choosing the right one for the context, you can make your German more precise and expressive.

Flashcards (1 of 9)

English Equivalent: very
Example (English): That is very good.

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025