eben
just · right · even · flat · level
Etwas ist ganz flach, ohne Hügel oder Unebenheiten.
The German word "eben" is an adverb and adjective with several related meanings:
-
Adjective:
Means flat, even, or level (e.g., "eine eben Fläche" — an even surface). -
Adverb:
Means just now, exactly, or precisely (e.g., "Ich habe eben gegessen" — I just ate). -
Discourse particle:
Used to emphasize a statement, often meaning simply, just, or after all (e.g., "Das ist eben so" — That's just how it is).
Similar words:
- For the adjective meaning: "flach" (flat), "glatt" (smooth).
- For the adverb meaning: "gerade" (just), "soeben" (just now).
- For the discourse particle: "halt", "nun mal" (both roughly "just"/"simply").
Differences:
- "eben" as an adverb often emphasizes the immediacy or precision of an action, while "gerade" also means "just" but can focus more on the present moment.
- As a discourse particle, "eben" carries a nuance of accepting a fact, sometimes more resigned or factual than "halt".
- The adjective "eben" emphasizes flatness with a nuance of slight leveling, whereas "flach" suggests a more general flatness or shallowness.
Make “eben” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Ich habe es eben erst gesehen.adverb
I just saw it now.
Sie ist eben angekommen.adverb
She just arrived.
Das Buch liegt eben dort auf dem Tisch.adverb
The book is lying right there on the table.
Das Auto war eben noch da.adverb
The car was just there.
Er hat eben angerufen.adverb
He just called.
Er kam eben an.adverb
He just arrived.
Der Boden im Zimmer ist ganz eben und sauber.adjective
The floor in the room is completely even and clean.
Die Wand ist ganz eben und glatt.adjective
The wall is completely even and smooth.
Das ist eben nicht so einfach zu verstehen.adverb
That is just not so easy to understand.
Wir können hier gut fahren, weil die Straße ganz eben ist.adjective
We can drive well here because the road is completely flat.
Wir sind eben nach Hause gegangen.adverb
We just went home.
Ich habe das eben selbst gemacht.adverb
I just did that myself.
Ich habe eben gelesen, dass morgen das Wetter besser wird.Word type unavailable
I just read that the weather will get better tomorrow.
Ich habe das eben falsch verstanden.Word type unavailable
I just misunderstood that.
Der Fußboden im neuen Zimmer ist völlig eben.Word type unavailable
The floor in the new room is completely even.
Das war eben nicht so einfach zu verstehen.Word type unavailable
That was just not so easy to understand.
Das war eben die richtige Entscheidung für uns alle.Word type unavailable
That was just the right decision for all of us.
Der Weg durch den Garten ist ganz eben und leicht zu gehen.Word type unavailable
The path through the garden is completely level and easy to walk.
Der Boden ist ganz eben und glatt.adjective
The ground is completely even and smooth.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad