flau
queasy
Physically unwell, weak, or slightly nauseous; often accompanied by an uneasy feeling in the stomach.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Autofahrt war mir ganz flau.
After the long car journey, I felt really queasy.
flau
weak / queasy / lame
flau – flauer – am flauesten
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Meanings
flau
weak
Weak or lacking energy, for example when referring to wind, business activity, or demand.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des flauen Winds kamen die Segler kaum voran.
Because of the weak wind, the sailors made very little progress.
flau
lame
Unwitty, boring, or lacking impact, especially when referring to a joke or conversation.
EXAMPLE
Sein flauer Witz brachte niemanden zum Lachen.
His lame joke didn't make anyone laugh.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry flau, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | flau |
|---|---|
| comparative | flauer |
| superlative | am flauesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to flau.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to flau.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to flau.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'flau' (weak / queasy / lame) can often be recognized from the noun or sentence structure: when used with a person and 'sein' (to be), it usually refers to physical discomfort; with wind or demand, it refers to low strength; and with a joke or conversation, it refers to a lack of impact.
EXAMPLE
Wenn ich auf leeren Magen Kaffee trinke, ist mir oft flau.
I often feel queasy when I drink coffee on an empty stomach.
Heute ist der Wind flau, deshalb bleibt das Boot im Hafen.
The wind is weak today, so the boat is staying in the harbor.
Die Stimmung auf der Party war ziemlich flau.
The atmosphere at the party was pretty dull.
Dative construction
For the physical feeling, the impersonal construction 'jemandem ist flau' (someone feels queasy) is often used. The person affected is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Beim Gedanken an die Operation ist mir flau im Magen.
The thought of the operation makes me feel queasy.
Vor der Prüfung ist ihm plötzlich flau geworden.
He suddenly started feeling queasy before the exam.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'schwach' (weak), 'flau' is often used with wind, demand, or business activity. Typical collocations are 'flauer Wind' (weak wind), 'flaue Nachfrage' (weak demand), and 'flaue Geschäfte' (sluggish business).
EXAMPLE
Der Händler klagt über die flaue Nachfrage nach Wintermänteln.
The retailer is complaining about weak demand for winter coats.
Typical collocations
When referring to jokes, humorous remarks, or conversations, 'flau' describes a lack of wit or entertainment value. Common collocations include 'ein flauer Witz' (a lame joke), 'ein flauer Scherz' (a lame joke), and 'eine flaue Unterhaltung' (a dull conversation).
EXAMPLE
Seine flauen Scherze passten überhaupt nicht zur ernsten Situation.
His lame jokes were completely out of place in the serious situation.
In real life
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