Modal Particles

Question 1

aber

Answer 1

intensifies what is being said, expresses surprise.

aber sicher

Question 2

also

Answer 2

‘well..’, ‘so…’

also liebe Kinder (well then children)

Question 3

auch

Answer 3

confirms information.

wenn nicht, ist das ja auch egal (if not, it doesn’t matter)

Question 4

denn

Answer 4

Used in questions to make them more casual or to express surprise/interest.

Question 5

doch

Answer 5

Used to convey surprise/disbelief or give an affirmative answer to something.

Doch sie könnten (yes, they could)

Question 6

eben

Answer 6

Shows resignation, or means just/now/then/exactly

Das ist es eben! (that is exactly it)

Question 7

eigentlich

Answer 7

Softens tones, expresses curiosity, means ‘actually’

Habt ihr euch eigentlich enschieden?

Question 8

etwa

Answer 8

Conveys surprise

Is das etwa für mich? (Is that for me?)

Question 9

gerade

Answer 9

Special emphasis/focus

Gerade heute musste es regnen (It had to rain today of all days)

Question 10

halt

Answer 10

Resignation, ‘what can i say’

Ich was halt besoffen (what can I say, I was drunk)

Question 11

irgendwie

Answer 11

somehow, expresses vagueness (similar to ‘like’ in English)

Diese Frau ist irgendwie komisch

Question 12

ja

Answer 12

Expresses surprise/urgency, expresses somthing obvious.

Das ist ja eine tolle Idee (that’s a really great idea)

Question 13

mal

Answer 13

Softens tone, conveys interest.

Duck die das man an! (take a look at that!)

Question 14

na

Answer 14

Intensifies something, conveys affirmation/agreement

Na logisch (of course)

Question 15

naja

Answer 15

Ah well, resignation

Naja, was hast du erwartet (ah well, what did you expect)

Question 16

nun

Answer 16

Expresses resignation, often used with mal

Es ist nun mal so (It is what it is)

Question 17

nur

Answer 17

Expresses disbelief/urgency, adds tone to commands

Was dauert nur so lange? (what on earth is taking you so long)

Question 18

schon

Answer 18

Already, ever (with ‘mal’), signals confidence, can be used as a concession or to express resignation.

Habe ich mich schol mal geirrt? (have I ever been mistaken)

Question 19

total

Answer 19

Like ‘totally’ in English

Question 20

überhaupt

Answer 20

Emphasises a general trend, or signals finality

Überhaupt nicht, du scheußliche Frau (Absolutely not, you horrid woman)

Question 21

wohl

Answer 21

Expresses probability or signals concession

Das ist wohl wahr (that is certainly true)

Question 22

zwar

Answer 22

‘sure’, ‘true’- often followed by ‘aber’

Es war zwar grausam, aber es hat auch Spaß gemacht! (That was gruesome, but also fun!)