Modal particle: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:40, 17 January 2003

Revision as of 01:41, 17 January 2003

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There are thirty or so modal particles in German, and a list is included of the most commonly-used words in alphabetical order. Each example shows an explanation of the intention behind its use, a short German phrase demonstrating it if possible and the nearest English equivalent - never a precise one as that would be probably impossible. It must also be born in mind that the full citation of each word could not be incorporated in anything less than a full-scale essay, and an encyclopedia entry cannot really do justice to such a task.

*[[aber]] - not the conjugation, this is a word expressing surprise at something unexpected or going beyond expectations. "Das war aber ein schöner Tag". English: "It <u>was</u?> a beautiful day" - emphasis "was".<br> "Aber nein" - emphatically "Of course not".

*[[allerdings]] - a concession or reservation is expressed here. "However","admittedly", "to be sure". as in "Die Stadt hat uns gefallen. Allerdings fing es an su regnen". "We enjoyed the town. Admittedly, it started to rain".