German word

fast

Pronunciation

IPA/fast/

Meaning

  • adverbalmost

Example

Das Essen ist fast fertig.

The food is almost ready.

Illustration for fast (almost)

More examples

fast alle Leute kamen pünktlich.

Almost all people came on time.

Core concept

A nearly complete puzzle with one small gap remaining.

Common phrases

  • fast nie

    almost never

  • fast alle Leute

    almost all people

Similar words

beinahe: Indicates that something is about to happen or change.
nahezu: Indicates that a quantity or degree nearly reaches a set level.

Definition in German

fast bedeutet allgemein ‚nahezu‘ und drückt aus, dass nur noch ein kleiner Abstand bis zu einem Zustand besteht.

Word origin

The German adverb fast is descended from Old High German fasto and is historically linked with fest 'firm', while its modern sense marks close approach to a point.

Usage tips

  • Before a number, German fast means that the amount is just below it, as in fast drei 'nearly three', not that the number is reached.

Other meanings

  • nearlyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word