6

Stufe: A1.

Beispiel:

I want to say:

It is not cold enough.

So, would I say:

Es ist nicht sehr kalt.

or,

Es ist nicht zu kalt.

I am asking this because we have learnt that 'sehr' is for expressing a positive view and zu is to express negative.

I want to express disappointment.

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3
  • Why do you want to use "sehr" or "zu" in the first place? "A lot of" translates to "viel/viele": "Er hat nicht viele Bonbons."
    – Iris
    Apr 21, 2016 at 21:30
  • The expression of disappointment was a really important addition in your latest edit. "Einfach nicht kalt genug, heute."
    – tofro
    Apr 22, 2016 at 6:18
  • @tofro considering that, the English original sentence It's not too cold already fails to express disappointment.
    – Chieron
    Apr 22, 2016 at 10:55

1 Answer 1

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8

Taking your edit into account, I have the impression that you're looking for "genug". So here is the full picture:

(Not) to a high degree, neutral attitude:

Es ist sehr kalt. = It's very cold.

Es ist nicht sehr kalt. = It's not very cold.

(Not) more than desired:

Es ist zu kalt. = It's too cold (for swimming in the lake).

Es ist nicht zu kalt. = It's not too cold (for swimming in the lake).

(Not) sufficient, (not) as much as desired:

Es ist kalt genug. = It's cold enough (for ice-skating).

Es ist nicht kalt genug. = It's not cold enough (for ice-skating).

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2
  • 1
    "Very many" ist Denglish....
    – Iris
    Apr 21, 2016 at 21:35
  • 1
    And "not very many" isn't
    – tofro
    Apr 22, 2016 at 12:00

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