ganz
Meaning and Usage
"ganz" in German translates to "whole" or "entire" in English. It is used to indicate completeness or entirety of something. It can also mean "very" or "quite" when used as an adverb.
Linguistic Analysis
"ganz" is an adverb in German. It does not have a prefix or suffix. The word has its origin in Middle High German and Old High German "ganz" meaning "whole" or "entire."
Comparisons between German and English
The word "ganz" shares the basic meaning of "whole" or "entire" with its English counterpart. However, it is important to note that "ganz" also has an additional usage as an adverb to mean "very" or "quite," which is not directly conveyed by the word "whole" in English.
Cultural Context
In everyday conversations, "ganz" is frequently used to emphasize completeness or entirety, as well as to convey intensity, similar to the English use of "very" or "quite."
Example Sentences
- Das ist die ganz wahre Geschichte. (This is the whole true story.)
- Sie ist ganz schön intelligent. (She is quite intelligent.)
- Das Buch ist ganz interessant. (The book is very interesting.)
Memory Tips
To remember the meaning of "ganz," think of it as emphasizing the "whole" or "entire" aspect of something, or as intensifying the meaning, similar to using "very" or "quite" in English.
Additional Vocabulary
- Synonyms: vollständig (complete), völlig (entirely)
- Antonyms: teilweise (partial), halb (half)
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
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Conjugation (for verbs)
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