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Everyday, mindless, and without any particular originality or depth. Often used disparagingly for ideas, statements, or works of art that are perceived as too simple or insignificant.
Seine Antwort auf die komplexe Frage war enttäuschend banal.
His answer to the complex question was disappointingly banal.
'Banal' (banal) is almost always meant negatively or disparagingly. It expresses that something is perceived as too simple, uninteresting, or not deep enough.
Der Film hatte eine sehr banale Handlung.
The film had a very banal plot.
The adjective often describes abstract things such as 'eine banale Idee' (a banal idea), 'eine banale Frage' (a banal question), 'eine banale Erkenntnis' (a banal realization), or 'ein banaler Grund' (a banal reason).
Er versuchte, sein Verhalten mit einer banalen Ausrede zu rechtfertigen.
He tried to justify his behavior with a banal excuse.
'Banal' is often used with verbs such as 'klingen' (to sound), 'wirken' (to seem), or 'erscheinen' (to appear) to describe the impression something makes.
Das mag jetzt banal klingen, aber manchmal sind die einfachsten Lösungen die besten.
This may sound banal now, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
flat / exhausted
Platt and banal can both criticize an unprofound statement or joke. Platt refers more to the crude, unsophisticated way something is expressed, while banal focuses more on the idea itself being ordinary and unimaginative. Use platt for the wording and banal for the lack of substance.
Der Witz war so banal, dass niemand darin eine neue Idee fand.
The joke was so banal that no one found a new idea in it.
Der Witz war so platt, dass niemand darüber lachen konnte.
The joke was so corny that no one could laugh at it.
