adverb
across, diagonally
B1
Quer is an adverb meaning across or diagonally. It describes directional movement or orientation (e.g., 'quer über die Straße', 'quer durch den Raum'). Often combined with prepositions like über or durch. It's not inflected; use to indicate crossing, slanting, or diagonal positions in space or movement.
Examples
Der Lkw fuhr quer über die Kreuzung, weil die Ampel ausfiel.
The truck drove across the intersection because the traffic light went out.
Er ging quer über die Straße, obwohl es keinen Zebrastreifen gab.
He walked across the street even though there was no crosswalk.
Die Straße verläuft quer durch das Tal.
The road runs diagonally across the valley.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a line drawn across a page from one corner to another (a diagonal) to remember 'quer'
Sounds like 'care' but start it with a 'k' sound: 'kwer' — think of cutting 'across' a page
Notes
'quer' is often used to describe movement across or at an angle. It can combine with verbs (querlaufen, queren) or be used adverbially.