sheer
schier – schierer – am schiersten
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sheer
Used as an adverb for emphasis and means something like 'almost', 'nearly', or 'positively'. It emphasizes the extent of something, often in a negative or overwhelming sense.
Die Menge an Arbeit war schier unmöglich zu bewältigen.
The amount of work was sheerly impossible to manage.
pure
A rarer, often literary meaning for 'pure' or 'unmixed'.
Sie trug ein Kleid aus schierer Seide.
She wore a dress made of pure silk.
| basic form | schier |
|---|---|
| comparative | schierer |
| superlative | am schiersten |
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to schier.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to schier.
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to schier.
In its most common meaning, 'schier' (sheer/almost) is an adverb that intensifies another word, usually an adjective. It is not declined and stands directly before the word it emphasizes.
Die Aufgabe schien schier unlösbar.
The task seemed sheerly unsolvable.
Er brach unter der schier unerträglichen Last zusammen.
He collapsed under the sheerly unbearable load.
'Schier' (sheer/almost) is often combined with adjectives that express a limit or an extreme. Typical collocations are 'schier unmöglich' (sheerly/almost impossible), 'schier unglaublich' (almost unbelievable), 'schier endlos' (seemingly endless), or 'schier verzweifeln' (to almost despair).
Die Aussicht vom Berggipfel war schier atemberaubend.
The view from the mountain peak was absolutely breathtaking.
The meaning 'rein' (pure) or 'pur' (pure) is very rare today and is now found almost only in literary or very old texts. In modern German, you should avoid this meaning.
Im Gedicht war von „schierem Gold“ die Rede.
The poem spoke of 'schierem Gold' (pure gold).
almost
Fast mainly says that a state or quality has almost been reached. Schier also means almost, but sounds more elevated and often emphasizes an overwhelming or negative degree. Fast is usually more suitable in everyday language, while schier highlights a strong, striking effect.
Die Hitze war schier unerträglich.
The heat was sheerly unbearable.
Die Hitze war fast unerträglich.
The heat was almost unbearable.
