platitude
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platitude
A formulaic, but often empty or hackneyed expression. Floskeln (platitudes) are often used out of politeness or habit, without any deeper meaning behind them.
Seine Antwort bestand nur aus leeren Floskeln und sagte nichts Konkretes aus.
His answer consisted only of empty platitudes and said nothing concrete.
The word 'Floskel' (platitude) is often combined with adjectives that emphasize its emptiness. Typical examples are 'leere Floskel' (empty platitude), 'abgedroschene Floskel' (hackneyed platitude), or 'bloße Floskel' (mere platitude).
Seine Entschuldigung klang wie eine leere Floskel.
His apology sounded like an empty platitude.
'Floskel' (platitude) usually has a negative or critical meaning. You use the word to express that a statement seems impersonal, meaningless, or insincere.
Statt konkreter Pläne hörten wir vom Politiker nur die üblichen Floskeln.
Instead of concrete plans, we heard only the usual platitudes from the politician.
Common verbs used with 'Floskel' (platitude) are 'eine Floskel verwenden' (to use a platitude) or 'eine Floskel benutzen' (to use a platitude). If someone says a lot of platitudes, you can also say they 'wirft mit Floskeln um sich' (throws platitudes around).
In Geschäftsbriefen werden oft bestimmte Höflichkeitsfloskeln verwendet.
Certain polite formulas are often used in business letters.
formula
'die Formel' and 'die Floskel' can both mean a fixed linguistic expression. The difference lies in the value of the statement. A 'Formel' is more neutral: it is a fixed expression that fits in certain situations, for example in greetings or official texts. A 'Floskel' often sounds negative: someone says something out of habit or politeness, but it comes across as empty or worn out. Learners may confuse the words because both refer to something pre-formulated. If the sentence is simply fixed, 'Formel' fits. If it has little content or does not seem sincere, 'Floskel' fits better.
Seine Entschuldigung klang wie eine leere Floskel.
His apology sounded like an empty platitude.
Am Ende des Briefes verwendete Frau Müller eine höfliche Formel.
At the end of the letter, Ms. Müller used a polite formula.