flach
flat
Having little height or depth; level and without significant elevations or depressions.
EXAMPLE
Die Landschaft hier im Norden ist sehr flach.
The landscape here in the north is very flat.
flach
flat / shallow
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Meanings
flach
shallow
In a figurative sense, intellectually undemanding, superficial, or lacking depth.
EXAMPLE
Ich fand den Film langweilig, die Witze waren einfach nur flach.
I found the film boring; the jokes were just shallow.
flach
shallow
Refers to containers or bodies of water and means that they are not deep.
EXAMPLE
Für die Suppe brauchst du einen tiefen Teller, keinen flachen.
For the soup you need a deep plate, not a shallow one.
flach
shallow
Describes breathing that is not deep, but only superficial.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem schnellen Rennen war seine Atmung sehr schnell und flach.
After the fast race, his breathing was very quick and shallow.
sich flach halten
to keep a low profile
To behave inconspicuously in order not to attract attention or to avoid trouble.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Streit mit dem Chef ist es besser, wenn du dich erst mal flach hältst.
After the argument with the boss, it's better if you keep a low profile for now.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'flach' (flat/shallow) is closely related to the noun 'die Fläche' (surface/area). A 'Fläche' is a level surface. This connection helps you understand the basic meaning of 'flach' as 'level' or 'without height.'
EXAMPLE
Der Tisch hat eine große, glatte Fläche.
The table has a large, smooth surface.
Context clue
The literal meaning of 'flach' (flat/shallow) describes physical properties such as a landscape or a plate. The figurative meaning describes abstract things like jokes or conversations that lack depth or sophistication.
EXAMPLE
Das Ufer des Sees ist hier sehr flach.
The shore of the lake is very shallow here.
Usage pattern
In its literal meaning, 'flach' (flat/shallow) can describe both low height, e.g. 'flache Landschaft' (flat landscape), and shallow depth, e.g. 'flaches Wasser' (shallow water). In both cases, it is about a small vertical extent.
EXAMPLE
Kinder können sicher im flachen Wasser spielen.
Children can play safely in shallow water.
Typical collocations
In its figurative meaning, 'flach' (shallow) is very often used for things that are intellectually undemanding. Common combinations are 'ein flacher Witz' (a shallow joke), 'flacher Humor' (shallow humor), or 'eine flache Unterhaltung' (a shallow conversation).
EXAMPLE
Er macht ständig nur flache Witze, über die niemand lacht.
He constantly makes only shallow jokes that no one laughs at.
Specific usage
In a medical or sports context, 'flach' (shallow) describes breathing that is not deep. People say 'flach atmen' (to breathe shallowly) or 'eine flache Atmung' (shallow breathing).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sprint atmete sie sehr schnell und flach.
After the sprint, she breathed very quickly and shallowly.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich flach halten' (to keep a low profile) is reflexive and means behaving inconspicuously in order to avoid attention or trouble. You deliberately withdraw.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Fehler im Meeting sollte er sich erst einmal flach halten.
After the mistake in the meeting, he should keep a low profile for a while.
Compare with
flach vs eben
just / exactly
When referring to shapes, eben would describe a level surface without raised areas, but this meaning of eben is not included in the input. Flach explicitly describes little height or depth and can also indicate the absence of significant raised areas. For a low-profile shape, flach is therefore the attested choice.
flach
Die Bauanleitung verlangt für den Tisch eine flache Platte mit geringer Höhe.
The instructions require a flat tabletop with little height.
eben
Die Bauanleitung verlangt für den Tisch eine vollständig ebene Fläche.
The instructions require a completely level surface for the table.
In real life
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