AdverbA1

nur

only, just · just, simply · used in exclamations to express helplessness or worry

Nur means 'only' or 'just'. It limits a statement to a particular thing, amount, or action. Germans use it constantly in everyday speech to narrow down what they mean.

What nur means

  1. only, just — to say that nothing more than this is involved
  2. just, simply — to soften a request or statement, making it sound less demanding
  3. used in exclamations to express helplessness or worry — in questions like 'Was machen wir nur?'

Heard in real German videos

Lines where nur was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.

  • Ich repariere nur das Dach.I'm only repairing the roof.
  • Wir wollen nur die Mütze zurück.We just want the hat back.
  • Oh, was machen wir nur?Oh, what are we going to do?

Example sentences

  • Ich habe nur zehn Euro.I only have ten euros.
  • Wir wollen nur kurz etwas fragen.We just want to ask something quickly.
  • Das ist nur ein Missverständnis.That's just a misunderstanding.
  • Was soll ich nur tun?What on earth should I do?

Common phrases

  • nur nochonly ... left, just ... now
  • nicht nur ..., sondern auch ...not only ..., but also ...
  • nur sojust like that, for no particular reason
  • nur zu!go ahead!, feel free!

The mistake English speakers make

English speakers often confuse 'nur' with 'erst'. Use 'nur' for 'only' in the sense of 'nothing more', but 'erst' for 'only' in the sense of 'not until' or 'no more than so far'. Example: 'Ich habe nur einen Bruder' (I have only one brother) vs. 'Ich bin erst halb fertig' (I'm only half finished).

Don’t confuse it with

  • erst — Erst means 'only' in the sense of 'not until' or 'no earlier than', while nur means 'only' as in 'nothing more than'.
  • bloß — Bloß is a more colloquial synonym of nur, often used to add emphasis or emotion.

Questions learners ask

What is the difference between 'nur' and 'erst'?

Nur means 'only' in the sense of 'nothing more than', while erst means 'only' in the sense of 'not until' or 'no earlier than'. For example, 'Ich habe nur 5 Euro' (I have only 5 euros) vs. 'Ich bin erst um 8 Uhr zu Hause' (I won't be home until 8 o'clock).

Can 'nur' be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, but it usually comes before the element it modifies. For example, 'Nur Peter war da' (Only Peter was there). In questions, it can appear after the verb: 'Was machst du nur?' (What on earth are you doing?).

Is 'nur' the same as 'bloß'?

They are often interchangeable, but 'bloß' is more colloquial and can add a sense of urgency or emotion. 'Nur' is neutral and more common in written German.