ebnen
to level
To make a surface smooth, flat, or even by removing uneven areas.
EXAMPLE
Die Bauarbeiter ebneten den Weg mit einer großen Walze.
The construction workers leveled the path with a large roller.
ebnen
to level / pave
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Meanings
den Weg ebnen für
to pave the way for
To create the conditions so that something can happen or be achieved more easily; to prepare or make something possible.
EXAMPLE
Diese Erfindung ebnete den Weg für die moderne Kommunikation.
This invention paved the way for modern communication.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'ebnen' is derived directly from the adjective 'eben', which means 'flat' or 'even'. So 'ebnen' literally means 'to make something even'.
EXAMPLE
Die Landschaft hier ist sehr eben und ideal zum Radfahren.
The landscape here is very flat and ideal for cycling.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'den Weg ebnen für' + accusative. It means to create the foundation for something in the future.
EXAMPLE
Seine Forschung ebnete den Weg für eine neue Generation von Medikamenten.
His research paved the way for a new generation of medicines.
Context clue
You can recognize the literal meaning from the object of the sentence. If it mentions 'Boden' (ground), 'Grundstück' (plot of land), 'Straße' (road), or 'Gelände' (terrain), it is about smoothing a physical surface.
EXAMPLE
Bevor wir das Haus bauen, müssen wir das Grundstück ebnen.
Before we build the house, we have to level the plot of land.
Compare with
ebnen vs ausgleichen
to balance / equalize / settle
Both verbs can reduce unevenness on a surface. Ausgleichen emphasizes compensating for differences in height by filling in or removing material, without requiring the entire surface to be completely smooth. Ebnen more strongly means making a surface smooth, flat, or even overall.
ebnen
Mit einer Walze ebnete der Gärtner die gesamte Fläche im Beet.
The gardener used a roller to level the entire area in the garden bed.
ausgleichen
Mit zusätzlicher Erde glich der Gärtner die Unebenheiten im Beet aus.
The gardener used additional soil to even out the uneven areas in the garden bed.
In real life
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