schier
Translation
almost, nearly, sheer, pure
Examples
Die Aufgabe ist schier unmöglich.
The task is almost impossible.
Das ist der schiere Wahnsinn.
That is sheer madness.
Grammar Patterns
schier + adjective/adverb almost ... The task is schier impossible.
attributive adjective sheer ... That is der schiere Wahnsinn.
Similar Words
Synonyms: fast, beinahe (almost); rein, pur (pure)
Etymology
Derived from Middle High German 'schīr', which means 'clear, bright, pure'. It's a cognate of the English word 'sheer'.
Memory Tips
It sounds almost identical to 'sheer' in English. You can link 'schier unmöglich' to the phrase 'a sheer impossibility'.