at all / done
Loading your saved state.
at all
As an intensifying adverb, usually in negative sentences with 'nicht' (not), 'nichts' (nothing), or 'kein' (no/not any), to emphasize the negation. Means 'überhaupt' (at all) or 'absolut' (absolutely).
Ich habe gar kein Geld mehr dabei.
I don't have any money with me at all anymore.
The most common use of 'gar' is to strengthen a negation. It is then almost always used together with 'nicht' (not), 'nichts' (nothing), or 'kein' (no/not any).
Ich habe heute gar nichts gegessen.
I haven't eaten anything at all today.
When 'gar' is used in the context of food and cooking, it means 'finished cooking' or 'done.' It describes the state of food.
Sind die Nudeln schon gar?
Are the noodles done already?
In the culinary meaning, 'gar' is used predicatively, meaning after the noun with a verb like 'sein' (to be). Using it directly before the noun (e.g. 'das gare Fleisch') is uncommon.
Der Reis ist noch nicht ganz gar, er braucht noch ein paar Minuten.
The rice is not quite done yet; it needs a few more minutes.
The intensifying meaning 'sogar' (even) or 'sehr' (very), e.g. 'ein gar lustiger Geselle' (a very funny fellow), is old-fashioned. Today you find it almost only in fairy tales or literary texts.
Es war eine gar wundersame Geschichte.
It was a truly wondrous story.
through / by
'durch' and 'gar' can both mean in cooking that something is no longer raw. 'gar' is the more precise and more neutral word for this: the vegetables, meat, or rice are fully cooked. 'durch' is used more colloquially in this context and often with 'sein', especially for meat or cake. Learners may confuse the words because both can refer to the end of cooking. As a practical rule: in recipes and neutral language, 'gar' fits better; in everyday speech, you will also hear 'durch'.
Nach zwanzig Minuten sind die Kartoffeln gar.
After twenty minutes, the potatoes are done.
Der Kuchen ist innen noch nicht ganz durch.
The cake is still not quite done inside.