German word

arg

Pronunciation

IPA/aʁk/

Meaning

  • adverbbadly

Example

Ich habe mich arg geirrt.

I was badly mistaken.

Illustration for arg (badly)

More examples

Sie war arg enttäuscht über die Nachricht.

She was badly disappointed about the news.

Core concept

A situation crosses the line from ordinary difficulty into something painfully bad.

Common phrases

  • arg enttäuscht

    badly disappointed

  • arg böse

    very angry

Similar words

sehr: To a very high degree for ordinary emphasis in everyday speech.
furchtbar: To a horribly unpleasant or distressing degree.
wirklich: In a way that clearly stresses the truth of something.
völlig: Completely, with every part or aspect fully included.

Definition in German

arg ist ein Adverb, das oft starke Negativität oder großes Bedauern ausdrückt.

Word origin

The German adjective arg developed from Proto-Germanic *argaz through older German forms, and its adverbial use applies this negative quality to an action or degree.

Usage tips

  • Arg can intensify both negative events and strong reactions, but sehr is the more neutral everyday choice for general emphasis.

Other meanings

  • veryadverb
  • badadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • arglosguilelessadjective

Word lists with this word