German word

ungemein

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊngəˌmaɪ̯n/

Meaning

  • adverbextremely

Example

Das ist ungemein wichtig.

That is extremely important.

Illustration for ungemein (extremely)

More examples

Sie war ungemein nervös vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch.

She was extremely nervous before the job interview.

Core concept

A scale needle driven far past the normal mark.

Common phrases

  • ungemein wichtig

    extremely important

  • ungemein nervös

    extremely nervous

  • ungemein hilfreich

    extremely helpful

Similar words

sehr: A basic, widely used intensifier for simply expressing a very high degree.
äußerst: A somewhat formal intensifier for indicating an exceptionally high degree.
extrem: A strong intensifier for a notably extreme degree.
wahnsinnig: A casual, emotionally charged intensifier meaning extremely.

Definition in German

In hohem Maße; als verstärkendes Adverb vor Adjektiven oder anderen Adverbien verwendbar.

Word origin

Ungemein combines the negative prefix un- with gemein, whose older sense included 'common', and developed from 'uncommon' or 'exceptional' into an intensifier.

Usage tips

  • Ungemein usually sounds more emphatic and somewhat more elevated than the everyday intensifier sehr.

Other meanings

  • veryadverb
  • extraordinarilyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word