sehr schlecht
/zeːr ʃlɛçt/word by word
The German phrase for "very bad" is sehr schlecht.
sehr schlecht is used to describe something of very low quality or a situation that is highly unpleasant.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb sehr (very) and the adjective schlecht (bad/poor).
Which one should you use?
While sehr schlecht describes quality or condition, the word schlimm is often used to describe the severity of a situation or a mistake, such as ein schlimmer Fehler (a serious mistake).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the adjective as an attributive adjective before a noun, it must change its ending. For a feminine or plural noun, use sehr schlechte, such as in eine sehr schlechte Idee (a very bad idea). When used for a masculine noun in the accusative case, use sehr schlechten, such as in einen sehr schlechten Film (a very bad movie).
How do you pronounce it?
/zeːr ʃlɛçt/
Did you know?
- In German, the word schlecht can specifically refer to a 'bad' mood, but it is also the root of the word for 'gender' (Geschlecht).
- The word sehr has a surprising connection to the English word 'sorely'. Both words originally evolved from a root meaning 'to be injured' or 'to be in pain'.
- The term schlechtes Gewissen is the standard German expression for a 'guilty conscience'.
Examples in context
- Das ist sehr schlecht.This is very bad.This sentence is useful for stating that something is very bad.Tatoeba #3130680 by Manfredo, translation #1496816 by Spamster
- Mir geht es sehr schlecht.I feel very bad.This sentence is useful for describing how one feels.Tatoeba #612791 by al_ex_an_der, translation #9036523 by Nylez
- Das Wetter ist sehr schlecht.The weather is very bad.This sentence is useful for describing the weather.Tatoeba #2290092 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2268650 by _undertoad
- Die Leistung bei der Arbeit war sehr schlecht.The performance at work was very bad.
- Das Essen im Restaurant war äußerst schlecht.The food at the restaurant was extremely bad.
- Der Film gestern Abend war total schlecht.The movie last night was really bad.
- Das Wetter war richtig schlecht im Urlaub.The weather was really bad on vacation.
- Das Konzert gestern Abend war mega schlecht.The concert last night was really bad.
- Der Service in diesem Restaurant war hammer schlecht.The service at this restaurant was really bad.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are discussing a movie they just watched at the cinema.
- LukasDer Film war wirklich sehr schlecht.The movie was really very bad.
- HannahJa, die Geschichte war sehr schlecht.Yes, the story was very bad.
- LukasDas war eine sehr schlechte Erfahrung.That was a very bad experience.
- HannahStimmt, das war sehr schlecht.True, that was very bad.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sehr, schlecht) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schlecht, sehr, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
