German Conversation · Level 89
59 words
German word
geradezu
Pronunciation
IPA/gəˈʁaːdəˌtsuː/
Meaning
- adverbabsolutely
Example
Das ist geradezu perfekt.
That is absolutely perfect.
More examples
Die ganze Situation war geradezu absurd.
The whole situation was absolutely absurd.
Core concept
A quality is pushed so fully into view that it seems almost excessive or serves as a striking example.
Common phrases
geradezu absurd
absolutely absurd
geradezu übertrieben
absolutely exaggerated
geradezu phänomenal
absolutely phenomenal
Similar words
wirklich: Strongly emphasizes that something is true or genuine.
genau: Confirms that something matches the stated facts or words exactly.
tatsächlich: Emphasizes that something is in fact true despite doubts or expectations.
Definition in German
Ein verstärkendes Adverb, das eine Eigenschaft als fast übertrieben zutreffend oder exemplarisch darstellt
Word origin
Geradezu developed from the combination of German gerade, meaning straight or exact, and zu, meaning to, and became a single adverb of strong emphasis.
Usage tips
- Geradezu often intensifies an adjective or adverb, as in geradezu perfekt, and can sound more dramatic than the neutral wirklich or genau.
Other meanings
- downrightadverb
- virtuallyadverb
Opposites
- keineswegsby no meansadverb
Related words
- geradlinigstraightforwardadjective
- Geradlinigkeitstraightforwardnessnoun