sehr

Sehr is a core German adverb used as a degree modifier meaning “very.” It typically precedes the word it strengthens, whether an adjective, an adverb, or a participle, and it can be used in both predicative and attributive positions. Examples: “Das ist sehr gut” (that is very good), “Sie ist sehr freundlich,” and “ein sehr gutes Buch.”

In attributive use, sehr can modify adjectives that describe nouns: “ein sehr guter Wein,” “eine sehr interessante Idee.” In predicative constructions, it accompanies a verb form or a predicate adjective: “Der Film war sehr spannend,” “Der Preis ist sehr hoch.” Sehr is relatively neutral in tone, but it can be softened or strengthened with other modifiers such as “ziemlich,” “extrem,” or “äußerst.”

Nicht sehr is a common negation pattern meaning “not very” or “not all that.” For stronger emphasis, speakers may use synonyms like äußerst or extrem, depending on context, while sehr remains a flexible, everyday intensifier.

In usage beyond general language, sehr appears in formal written German as part of standard greetings in letters: “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” (Dear Sir or Madam). Here it functions as a polite intensifier in a fixed formula, signaling respect.

Etymology and related forms: sehr is a long-standing element of the German language. Its precise historical origin is debated, but it has cognates in other West Germanic languages (for example Dutch zeer), indicating a common ancestral development. Today, sehr is one of the most frequent degree modifiers in German, widely used across speech and writing.