nun
Meaning and Usage
"Nun" is an adverb in German, meaning "now" or "well" when used to start a sentence. It is commonly used to indicate a current situation or to introduce a new development in a conversation.
Linguistic Analysis
The word "nun" has its origin in Middle High German and Old High German "nu," ultimately deriving from the Proto-Germanic *nu. It does not contain any prefixes, roots, or suffixes and is considered an adverb.
Comparisons between German and English
In both German and English, "nun" can be used to mean "now," but it can also have a slightly different meaning as an interjection, similar to "well" in English.
Example Sentences
- German: "Nun ist es Zeit zu gehen." (Now it's time to go.)
- English: "Well, I guess it's time to leave."
Memory Tips
Try associating "nun" with the English word "now," since they share a similar meaning.
Additional Vocabulary
- Jetzt (adv.) - now
- Gegenwärtig (adj.) - present, current
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
"Nun" is an adverb and does not have a gender or plural form.
Conjugation (for verbs)
As an adverb, "nun" does not have a conjugation but can be used to introduce different verb tenses in a sentence.