sehr/zu

Very/Too

Level 1

Sehr = Very (neutral/positive intensity)
Zu = Too (negative/excessive intensity)

How It Works

In German, choosing between sehr and zu depends on whether the intensity is acceptable or problematic.

1. Sehr (Very)
This is a neutral intensifier. It can be used with positive, neutral, or negative adjectives to show a high degree.

  • Das Wetter ist sehr schön. (The weather is very beautiful.)
  • Ich bin sehr müde. (I am very tired.)

2. Zu (Too)
This indicates an excess. It implies that something is 'more than it should be' or 'more than I want.' It almost always carries a negative nuance.

  • Der Kaffee ist zu heiß. (The coffee is too hot — I can't drink it yet.)
  • Die Schuhe sind zu teuer. (The shoes are too expensive — I won't buy them.)

3. The 'Too... To...' Construction
To explain the result of an excess, German uses the zu... um... zu structure. This connects the 'too' adjective to an action that cannot be completed.

  • Der Kaffee ist zu heiß, um ihn zu trinken. (The coffee is too hot to drink.)

4. Grammar Rules

  • Both are indeclinable adverbs, meaning they never change their endings.
  • They usually come directly before the adjective or adverb they modify.
  • While sehr can modify verbs (e.g., Ich danke dir sehr), zu usually needs the word viel to modify a verb (e.g., Er arbeitet zu viel).

Examples (6)

  1. Der Tee ist sehr warm.

    The tea is very warm.

    Word by Word: The tea is very warm.

    Here, 'sehr' is used because the warmth is likely pleasant or just a statement of fact.

  2. Der Tee ist zu heiß.

    The tea is too hot.

    Word by Word: The tea is too hot.

    Using 'zu' implies the tea is so hot that it is a problem (you might burn yourself).

  3. Das Auto ist sehr schnell.

    The car is very fast.

    Word by Word: The car is very fast.

    A positive or neutral observation about the car's speed.

  4. Du fährst zu schnell!

    You are driving too fast!

    Word by Word: You drive too fast!

    Using 'zu' indicates the speed is dangerous or illegal (excessive).

  5. Ich mag Pizza sehr.

    I like pizza very much.

    Word by Word: I like pizza very.

    'Sehr' is used here to intensify the verb 'mögen' (to like).

  6. Der Kaffee ist zu heiß, um ihn zu trinken.

    The coffee is too hot to drink.

    Word by Word: The coffee is too hot, in order it to drink.

    This uses the 'zu... um... zu' structure to explain the consequence of the excess: the coffee is so hot that drinking it is impossible.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'zu' for positive emphasis.

    Das ist zu gut!
    Das ist sehr gut!

    In English, we sometimes say 'That's too good!' as a compliment. In German, 'zu' almost always implies a negative excess. Use 'sehr gut' or 'super' for high praise.

  • Using 'sehr' with comparative adjectives.

    Das ist sehr besser.
    Das ist viel besser.

    To say 'much better' or 'much faster,' German uses 'viel' instead of 'sehr' before the comparative form.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

sehr/zuLevel 1Very/Too

Learn This First

To use 'sehr' and 'zu' effectively, you need to understand how adjectives function as predicates after the verb 'sein' (to be). This allows you to describe qualities with different levels of intensity or excess.

Words in This Pattern