primordial / very
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primordial
A prefix used to indicate the origin, the oldest form, or the beginning of something. It means something like 'original', 'ancient', or 'at the very beginning'.
Der Urwald ist ein seit Jahrhunderten unberührtes Waldgebiet.
The primeval forest is a forest area that has been untouched for centuries.
very
Used colloquially, especially in Austria and parts of Germany, as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'totally'.
Die Vorstellung gestern war ur super!
The show yesterday was totally great!
The meaning of 'ur' depends on its position in the sentence. As a prefix before a noun (e.g. 'Urwald' — primeval forest), it means 'original' or 'ancient'. If it stands as its own word before an adjective (e.g. 'ur gut'), it is colloquial for 'very'.
Die Urgroßeltern meiner Frau kamen aus Polen.
My wife's great-grandparents came from Poland.
In its original meaning, 'ur-' is a prefix that is attached directly to a noun to form a new word. It is not declined like a normal adjective and never stands alone.
Der Ursprung des Konflikts liegt viele Jahre zurück.
The origin of the conflict lies many years in the past.
The prefix 'ur-' forms many fixed terms. Common examples are 'Urwald' (primeval forest), 'Ursprung' (origin), 'Urzeit' (prehistoric times), 'Urmensch' (early human), or kinship terms such as 'Urgroßeltern' (great-grandparents).
Dinosaurier lebten in der Urzeit.
Dinosaurs lived in prehistoric times.
The use of 'ur' meaning 'very' is strongly colloquial and typical of youth language, especially in Austria and parts of Germany. It should be avoided in formal or written contexts.
Deine neue Frisur ist ur cool!
Your new hairstyle is totally cool!
very
Sehr and ur can strongly intensify an adjective. Sehr is neutral and understood throughout the German-speaking region; ur is colloquial and is used mainly in Austria and parts of Germany. Sehr suits general Standard German, while ur can sound natural in a regionally influenced conversation.
Meine Wiener Freunde fanden das Konzert ur gut.
My Viennese friends thought the concert was really good.
Alle fanden das Konzert sehr gut.
Everyone thought the concert was very good.
