pur
pure
Pure, unmixed, or unadulterated. It describes something in its pure form, without additives.
EXAMPLE
Er trinkt seinen Whisky am liebsten pur.
He likes to drink his whisky neat.
pur
pure
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Meanings
pur
sheer / pure
Used for emphasis and means 'nothing but' or 'pure.' It expresses that something consists exclusively of the aspect mentioned.
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderung war Anstrengung pur, hat sich aber gelohnt.
The hike was sheer exertion, but it was worth it.
Usage tips
Sentence position
Unlike most adjectives, 'pur' (pure) almost always stands unchanged after the noun it describes. It is not declined.
EXAMPLE
Ich trinke meinen Kaffee am liebsten schwarz und pur.
I like to drink my coffee black and pure.
Context clue
If 'pur' (pure/neat) refers to a drink or food, it means 'unmixed.' If it refers to an experience or feeling, it means 'nothing but' and serves as emphasis.
EXAMPLE
Möchtest du den Saft pur oder mit Wasser verdünnt trinken?
Would you like to drink the juice pure or diluted with water?
Typical combinations
For emotional emphasis, 'pur' (pure/sheer) is often combined with abstract nouns that describe a strong experience. Popular expressions are 'Adrenalin pur' (pure adrenaline), 'Natur pur' (pure nature), or 'Gänsehaut pur' (pure goosebumps).
EXAMPLE
Die Aussicht vom Berggipfel war einfach nur Natur pur.
The view from the mountain peak was simply pure nature.
Compare with
pur vs nur
only
Nur restricts a statement objectively to a single aspect. Pur also means that nothing else is present, but highlights this aspect as especially unmixed or strongly pronounced. Use nur for a neutral limitation and pur for intense emphasis.
pur
Nach dem Sieg empfand sie Freude pur.
After the victory, she felt pure joy.
nur
Nach dem Sieg empfand sie nur Freude.
After the victory, she felt only joy.
In real life
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