flexible
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flexible
Having the ability to adapt easily to new or changed circumstances; not rigid or fixed. Often refers to people, plans, or working hours.
Dank der flexiblen Arbeitszeiten kann sie ihre Kinder von der Schule abholen.
Thanks to the flexible working hours, she can pick up her children from school.
flexible
The quality of a material or object that can be bent easily without breaking; bendable.
Der Gartenschlauch ist aus einem sehr flexiblen Material gefertigt.
The garden hose is made from a very flexible material.
The adjective 'flexibel' (flexible) belongs to the noun 'die Flexibilität' (flexibility). If you know the noun, you can work out the meaning of the adjective more easily.
In meinem Job ist hohe Flexibilität gefordert.
A high level of flexibility is required in my job.
You can recognize the meaning of 'flexibel' (flexible) from the context. If it refers to people, plans, or times, it means 'adaptable'. If it refers to materials or objects, it means 'bendable'.
Mein Chef ist zum Glück sehr flexibel, was die Urlaubsplanung angeht.
Luckily, my boss is very flexible when it comes to vacation planning.
In connection with people and plans, 'flexibel' (flexible) is often used in fixed combinations such as 'flexible Arbeitszeiten' (flexible working hours), 'flexibel bleiben' (to remain flexible), or 'flexibel auf etwas reagieren' (to respond flexibly to something).
Viele Arbeitnehmer wünschen sich flexiblere Arbeitsmodelle.
Many employees want more flexible work models.
If you want to describe in which area someone or something is flexible, you often use the prepositions 'in' or 'bei'. For example: 'flexibel in der Gestaltung' (flexible in the design) or 'flexibel bei der Terminwahl' (flexible when choosing appointments).
Bei der Farbauswahl sind wir völlig flexibel.
We are completely flexible when it comes to color selection.
versatile
Flexibel and vielseitig can both describe a person who can handle different tasks. Flexibel emphasizes adapting to changing requirements. Vielseitig highlights that the person already possesses many different skills or talents.
Mara ist flexibel und übernimmt bei Bedarf kurzfristig eine andere Aufgabe.
Mara is flexible and can take on a different task at short notice if needed.
Mara ist vielseitig und kann im Büro, im Verkauf und im Lager arbeiten.
Mara is versatile and can work in the office, in sales, and in the warehouse.
