German word

primär

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁiˈmɛːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adjectivemain

Example

Unsere primären Aufgaben sind Lernen und Üben.

Our main tasks are learning and practicing.

Illustration for primär (main)

More examples

Die Probleme sind primär wirtschaftlicher Natur.

The problems are primarily economic in nature.

Core concept

A first-ranked point stands at the center, while less important matters follow behind it.

Common phrases

  • als primär gelten

    be considered primary

  • primär orientiert an

    primarily oriented toward

Similar words

hauptsächlich: Making up most of something or forming its main cause.
vorwiegend: Occurring mainly or accounting for a large share.
vorrangig: Given priority over other matters or tasks.
zentral: At the center of a matter and important to its overall structure.

Definition in German

Etwas, das am wichtigsten oder vorrangig ist.

Word origin

German primär comes from Latin primarius, meaning first or chief, which derives from primus, meaning first.

Usage tips

  • Primär often has a formal or technical tone, while hauptsächlich or vor allem is often more natural in everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • primarilyadverb
  • primaryadjective

Opposites

  • sekundärsecondaryadjective
  • peripherperipheraladjective

Related words

  • Primärquelleprimary sourcenoun
  • Primärversorgungprimary carenoun

Word lists with this word