bumpy / halting
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bumpy
Describes a surface that is uneven and full of small obstacles, so that you can only move over it jerkily.
Die Fahrt über die holprige Landstraße war sehr unangenehm.
The drive along the bumpy country road was very unpleasant.
The adjective 'holprig' (bumpy/halting) is closely related to the verb 'holpern' (to bump along), which means 'stolpern' (to stumble) or 'sich ruckartig bewegen' (to move jerkily). This connection helps you understand the core idea of something irregular and not flowing smoothly.
Der alte Wagen holperte über das Kopfsteinpflaster.
The old car bumped along over the cobblestones.
'Holprig' (halting) is very often used figuratively for things that do not run smoothly. The noun it describes makes the context clear.
Nach einem holprigen Start fand die Mannschaft besser ins Spiel.
After a halting start, the team found its way into the game better.
In the figurative meaning, 'holprig' (halting) is frequently combined with processes and beginnings: 'ein holpriger Start' (a bumpy/halting start), 'ein holpriger Beginn' (a bumpy/halting beginning), 'eine holprige Verhandlung' (a difficult negotiation), or 'eine holprige Formulierung' (an awkward formulation).
Die Koalitionsverhandlungen hatten einen holprigen Beginn.
The coalition negotiations had a halting beginning.
'Holprig' (bumpily/haltingly) can also be used as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out. It then remains unchanged after the verb.
Der Redner las seinen Text sehr holprig vor.
The speaker read his text aloud very haltingly.
just / exactly
'eben' and 'holprig' both describe what a surface is like, but they are opposites. 'eben' means that a surface is smooth and even. 'holprig' means that a surface is uneven and has many small obstacles. You notice this especially when walking, driving, or pushing something. For a smooth path, 'eben' fits; for a path with many uneven spots, 'holprig' fits.
Am Montag war die Fahrt über die alte Straße sehr holprig.
On Monday, the drive along the old road was very bumpy.
Der neue Weg im Park ist eben und gut für Kinderwagen geeignet.
The new path in the park is even and well suited for strollers.