sehr süß
/zeːr zyːs/word by word
The English phrase "very sweet" is translated into German as sehr süß.
sehr süß is used to describe food or drink that has a high sugar content. It is also used idiomatically to describe a person's behavior or appearance as "cute" or "sweet".
Which one should you use?
While sehr süß is the standard way to say "very sweet", other forms exist depending on the intensity and context: Außerordentlich süß means "exceptionally sweet", Richtig süß means "really sweet" and Mega süß is a slang way to say "mega sweet" or "super sweet".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes depending on the noun it precedes. When used before a feminine noun, use sehr süße (for example, eine sehr süße Erdbeere). When used before a masculine noun in the accusative case, use sehr süßen (for example, einen sehr süßen Tee).
How do you pronounce it?
/zeːr zyːs/
Did you know?
- The word sehr originally meant 'sored' or 'injured'. It evolved from describing a physical pain to expressing a high intensity or degree.
- In German, calling someone süß focuses on a specific cute gesture or their appearance, while calling them lieb describes their overall kind nature.
- While süß describes the sugar content of a wine, it can also be used to describe a person's innocence or childlike charm.
Examples in context
- Er ist sehr süß.He's very sweet.This sentence shows the use of sehr süß to describe a person.Tatoeba #2042569 by Tamy, translation #2038476 by Spamster
- Du bist sehr süß.You're very sweet.Tatoeba #2042570 by Tamy, translation #2038475 by Spamster
- Das ist sehr süß von dir.That's very sweet of you.This sentence shows the use of sehr süß to describe a kind gesture.Tatoeba #3853865 by Esperantostern, translation #16476 by CK
- Anna, dein neues Kleid sieht wirklich sehr süß aus!Anna, your new dress looks very sweet!
- Du hast mir einen richtig süßen Liebesbrief geschrieben.You wrote me a really sweet love letter.
- Der Welpe ist mega süß.The puppy is mega sweet.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are tasting a new dessert at a cafe.
- HannahProbier mal diesen Kuchen!Try some of this cake!
- LukasOh, der ist wirklich sehr süß.Oh, it is really very sweet.
- HannahStimmt, fast zu süß für mich.True, almost too sweet for me.
- LukasIch mag es so sehr süß.I like it very sweet.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sehr, süß) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sehr, süß, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
