> Degree adverbs in German express the intensity or degree of an action, adjective, or another adverb, modifying how strong or weak something is.
Degree adverbs in German modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate intensity or degree. They answer the question "to what extent?" and can express anything from a little bit to very much.
- Common degree adverbs include sehr (very), ein bisschen (a little), zu (too), and extrem (extremely).
- They can appear before adjectives, other adverbs, or verbs (often in the middle field of the sentence).
- Some degree adverbs require specific word order for emphasis or clarity.
Common Degree Adverbs
Here are some of the most frequently used degree adverbs in German:
- sehr – very
- ein bisschen – a little
- zu – too
- extrem – extremely
- ganz – quite / completely
- wirklich – really
- total – totally
- kaum – hardly
- relativ – relatively
Conjugation Table
Degree adverbs do not conjugate because they are not verbs. However, they can appear with verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to modify meaning.
| German Subject | German Conjugation | English Conjugation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ich | sehr zufrieden | very satisfied | Ich bin sehr zufrieden. | I am very satisfied. |
| Du | zu müde | too tired | Du bist zu müde. | You are too tired. |
| Wir | ein bisschen später | a little later | Wir kommen ein bisschen später. | We are coming a little later. |
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences using degree adverbs in context:
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Ich bin sehr müde. | I am very tired. |
| Sie ist ein bisschen spät. | She is a little late. |
| Das Essen ist zu salzig. | The food is too salty. |
| Er arbeitet extrem hart. | He works extremely hard. |
| Wir sind ganz zufrieden. | We are quite satisfied. |
| Das ist wirklich interessant. | That is really interesting. |
| Ich bin total erschöpft. | I am totally exhausted. |
| Sie hat kaum geschlafen. | She has hardly slept. |
| Das ist relativ teuer. | That is relatively expensive. |
Word Order
Degree adverbs usually come immediately before the word they modify:
- sehr gut (very good)
- ein bisschen müde (a little tired)
- zu spät (too late)
When modifying verbs, they often appear in the "middle field" (between the subject and the verb or after the verb):
- Ich sehr gut schläft. (Incorrect)
- Ich schlafe sehr gut. (Correct)
- Ich sehr oft lese. (Incorrect)
- Ich lese sehr oft. (Correct)
Tips for Learners
- Most degree adverbs do not change form (no endings).
- Use sehr for strong, neutral emphasis.
- Use ein bisschen or ein wenig to soften statements.
- Avoid using zu unless you want to indicate "too much" or a negative excess.
- ganz, wirklich, and total are good alternatives for "very" in spoken language.
- Be mindful of word order when adverbs modify verbs (they usually go after the verb).
Summary
German degree adverbs express how much something is done or how intense a quality is. They appear before adjectives or after verbs and do not change form. Common choices include sehr (very), ein bisschen (a little), zu (too), and extrem (extremely). Understanding their placement and meaning is key to expressing shades of intensity in German.
Last updated: Sat May 31, 2025
