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.
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.
spontaneous
'spontan' and 'flexibel' can easily be confused because both often have to do with plans and changes. 'spontan' means that something happens without prior planning, or that someone quickly decides in the moment. 'flexibel' means that someone or something can adapt well to new situations. A flexible person does not have to be spontaneous: they can also act in a well-planned way and still accept changes. So 'spontan' fits a sudden decision, while 'flexibel' fits adapting to changed conditions.
In ihrer E-Mail schreibt sie, dass sie beim Reisetermin flexibel ist.
In her email, she writes that she is flexible about the travel date.
Vor dem Termin habe ich spontan noch Blumen gekauft.
Before the appointment, I spontaneously bought some flowers.