Looking up...
nur
/nuːɐ̯/
only
Ich habe nur eine Schwester.
I only have one sister.
general
Used to indicate that something is the only one or the sole instance of something.
Er hat nur ein Auto.
He only has one car.
Sie trinkt nur Wasser.
She only drinks water.
Often used to emphasize exclusivity or limitation.
informal
Used to soften a statement or make it less harsh.
Ich möchte nur kurz mit dir reden.
I just want to talk to you for a moment.
Kann ich nur kurz stören?
Can I just interrupt for a moment?
In this context, 'nur' can be translated as 'just' or 'only' to soften the request.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Emphasizing Exclusivity
Use 'nur' to emphasize that something is the only one or the sole instance of something. For example, 'Ich habe nur ein Buch' means 'I only have one book'.
Gold Rule
Position in Sentence
'Nur' typically comes directly before the word or phrase it modifies. For example, 'Ich sehe nur dich' means 'I see only you'.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'nûr', from Old High German 'nûr', from Proto-Germanic 'nu', meaning 'now'. The adverbial use to mean 'only' developed in Middle High German.
Usage Notes
'Nur' is a versatile adverb that can be used to emphasize exclusivity, limitation, or to soften a statement. It is often used with comparative structures or to introduce a restrictive clause.
Word Breakdown
nur
only
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch