adverb
just, exactly
A1
'gerade' is a temporal adverb meaning 'just' (a moment ago/currently) or 'exactly' (precisely). It modifies verbs and clauses to indicate immediacy or precision (Ich komme gerade, Das ist gerade richtig). Not a preposition or reflexive; common in spoken and written German.
Examples
Das ist gerade das, was ich meinte.
That's exactly what I meant.
Der Kurier stand gerade an der Tür, als das Telefon klingelte, sodass er den Kunden nicht sofort erreichen konnte.
The courier was just at the door when the phone rang, so he couldn't reach the customer immediately.
Ich habe gerade gegessen und bin satt.
I just ate and I'm full.
Details
Mnemonics
visualize a clock showing 'just now' when you read 'gerade'.
gerade → sounds like 'just a grade' but think 'just'/'right now'.