mager

The German word "mager" is an adjective that means "lean" or "thin". It typically refers to something that has little or no fat, often used to describe food such as meat or dairy products, but it can also describe a person's physical appearance as being slim or underweight. "Mager" can also have a figurative sense, indicating something that is meager or lacking in richness.

Similar words in German include "dünn" (thin), "schmal" (slender), and "schlank" (slim).

• "Dünn" emphasizes a lack of thickness or solidity, but may not necessarily carry the same associations with the lack of fat in food or the notion of being lean.
• "Schmal" typically refers to being narrow, often used more in spatial contexts like describing a tight space or a narrow frame.
• "Schlank" often carries a positive connotation of being elegantly or healthily slim, typically used more appreciatively when referring to a person's physique.

So, "mager" implies a somewhat negative or undesirable thinness, especially to emphasize a lack of substance or nutrition, whereas "schlank" is usually more positive, and "dünn" and "schmal" are broader terms that may not carry the same connotations.