sehr gut
[ˈzeːɐ̯ ˌɡuːt]
The German phrase for "very good" is sehr gut.
sehr gut is used to describe something of high quality or a performance that is satisfactory.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sehr (very) and gut (good).
Which one should you use?
In German, sehr is used to intensify adjectives like gut, but unlike in English, it cannot be used to intensify comparative adjectives. For example, you would say viel besser instead of sehr besser.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Bavarian Dialect, you may hear Sehr guad instead of the standard sehr gut.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word gut changes its ending depending on the noun it precedes. When used before a feminine or plural noun, use sehr gute. When used before a masculine noun in the accusative case, use sehr guten.
Did you know?
- The German word sehr shares a root with the English word 'sorely'. Originally, both words described being injured or in pain before they evolved into intensifiers meaning 'very'.
- In the German school grading system, sehr gut is the highest possible mark. It corresponds to a grade of 1, whereas 6 is the lowest failing grade.
- The phrase sehr gut can be used as a sarcastic retort in German. Depending on the tone, it can imply that a situation is actually quite bad or frustrating.
Examples in context
- Er ist sehr gut.He's very good.This sentence demonstrates the use of sehr gut to describe a person.Tatoeba #8890678 by wolfgangth, translation #8478708 by CH
- Es war sehr gut.It was very good.This sentence shows how to use sehr gut when referring to an object or situation.Tatoeba #10071676 by wolfgangth, translation #3392956 by CK
- Das war sehr gut.That was very good.This sentence provides an example of using sehr gut to describe a past experience.Tatoeba #1907101 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1897770 by CK
- Die Präsentation war sehr gut.The presentation was very good.
- Ihre Arbeit war ausgezeichnet.Your work was excellent.
- Die Leistung des Teams war hervorragend.The team's performance was outstanding.
- Das Essen war super lecker.The food was super tasty.
- Deine Idee ist echt klasse!Your idea is really great!
- Das Konzert war absolut spitze.The concert was absolutely top-notch.
- 515 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are discussing a meal at a restaurant.
- FelixWie schmeckt dir das Essen, Julia?How do you like the food, Julia?
- JuliaDas ist wirklich sehr gut!This is really very good!
- FelixIch finde es auch sehr gut.I think it is very good too.
- JuliaWir sollten bald wieder hierher kommen.We should come back here soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sehr gut, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gut, sehr, sehr gut, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
