die Ebene
plain
A large, flat area without significant elevations.
EXAMPLE
In der norddeutschen Tiefebene gibt es kaum Hügel.
In the North German Plain, there are hardly any hills.
die Ebene
plain / level
die Ebene, die Ebenen
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Meanings
die Ebene
level
A particular level or area within an organization, a society, or an abstract system.
EXAMPLE
Das Problem muss auf politischer Ebene gelöst werden.
The problem must be solved at the political level.
die Ebene
level
A floor or level in a building or another structure.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschäftsleitung befindet sich auf der obersten Ebene des Turms.
The executive management is located on the top level of the tower.
die Ebene
plane
In geometry, an infinitely extended, flat surface with no thickness.
EXAMPLE
Ein Punkt und eine Gerade, die nicht durch den Punkt verläuft, definieren eindeutig eine Ebene.
A point and a line that does not pass through the point uniquely define a plane.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Ebene, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ebenen |
| genitive | der Ebene |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Ebene | die Ebenen |
| accusative | die Ebene | die Ebenen |
| dative | der Ebene | den Ebenen |
| genitive | der Ebene | der Ebenen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Ebene' derives from the adjective 'eben' (flat/even), which means 'flach' (flat) or 'gleichmäßig' (even). This basic concept of a flat surface appears in all meanings, from landscape to hierarchy.
EXAMPLE
Das Land ist hier so eben, dass man meilenweit sehen kann.
The land is so flat here that you can see for miles.
Use with "auf"
In the abstract meaning, 'Ebene' is almost always used with the preposition 'auf' and an adjective. This structure is very common in political, business, or personal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten dieses Problem auf einer persönlichen Ebene klären.
We should clarify this problem on a personal level.
Auf europäischer Ebene gibt es dazu noch keine Einigung.
At the European level, there is still no agreement on this.
Typical collocations
For the abstract meaning, 'Ebene' is often combined with certain adjectives. Typical examples are: 'politische Ebene' (political level), 'persönliche Ebene' (personal level), 'lokale Ebene' (local level), 'nationale Ebene' (national level), and 'internationale Ebene' (international level).
EXAMPLE
Die Entscheidung wurde auf höchster Ebene getroffen.
The decision was made at the highest level.
Context clues
The context helps distinguish the meanings. Geographical terms point to the landscape. Words from politics or organizations point to the abstract level. Terms like 'Stockwerk' (floor) or 'Gebäude' (building) indicate a level in a building.
EXAMPLE
Die weite Ebene war von kleinen Flüssen durchzogen.
The wide plain was crisscrossed by small rivers.
In unserem Unternehmen gibt es flache Hierarchien mit nur drei Ebenen.
In our company, there are flat hierarchies with only three levels.
Compare with
Ebene vs Bereich
area / field
Bereich refers to the subject area or area of activity to which a topic belongs. Ebene, by contrast, refers to a level or structural layer at which the topic is viewed or addressed. Bereich therefore fits a thematic classification, while Ebene refers to the perspective within a system.
Ebene
Die Weiterbildung wird auf der Ebene der Abteilungsleitungen geplant.
The training course is planned at the level of department heads.
Bereich
Die Weiterbildung gehört zum Bereich Personalentwicklung.
The training course is part of the personnel development field.
In real life
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