nur

adverb
only
A1

nur: adverb meaning 'only' or 'merely'. Used to limit or restrict statements (e.g., Ich habe nur ein Buch). Specialty: as a degree adverb it typically precedes the element it modifies; not reflexive and takes no particular preposition or auxiliary. Common in colloquial and formal registers.

Examples

Der Fahrer blieb nur wenige Minuten, weil er schnell weiterfahren musste.
The driver stayed only a few minutes because he had to drive on quickly.
Ich habe nur fünf Euro.
I only have five euros.

Details

Typedegree

Mnemonics

👁️Imagine a single small dot circled and labeled 'nur' to mean 'only'
👂rhymes with English 'sure' (approx.) — 'only' narrows it down

Notes

Used to limit or restrict; often appears before the thing being limited.

Category

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