barren / sparse
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barren
Sparse, infertile, and not very productive. Often used to describe landscapes, soils, or vegetation.
Auf dem kargen Boden der Bergregion wachsen nur wenige robuste Pflanzen.
Only a few hardy plants grow on the barren soil of the mountain region.
The exact meaning of 'karg' (barren / sparse) depends on the noun. With landscapes it means 'unfruchtbar' (infertile/barren), with meals 'dürftig' (meager), and with people 'wortkarg' (taciturn).
Die karge Landschaft der Wüste hat ihre eigene Schönheit.
The barren landscape of the desert has its own beauty.
In relation to landscapes, 'karg' (barren) is often combined with 'Boden' (soil), 'Vegetation' (vegetation), or 'Natur' (nature).
Trotz der kargen Natur gibt es hier eine vielfältige Tierwelt.
Despite the barren nature, there is a diverse animal world here.
When it comes to living conditions, 'karg' (sparse/meager) is often found in combinations such as 'ein karges Mahl' (a meager meal), 'eine karge Einrichtung' (sparse furnishings), or 'ein karges Leben führen' (to lead a meager life).
Die Familie musste lange Zeit ein sehr karges Leben führen.
The family had to lead a very meager life for a long time.
In the meaning 'wortkarg' (taciturn), the adjective can describe both a person ('ein karger Mann' (a taciturn man)) and their statements ('karge Worte' (few words), 'eine karge Antwort' (a terse answer)).
Auf meine Frage erhielt ich nur eine karge Antwort.
To my question, I received only a terse answer.
simple / just
'einfach' and 'karg' can both describe something as being without luxury or having only few furnishings. 'einfach' often sounds neutral or even positive: something is plain, practical, and not excessive. 'karg' sounds stronger and more negative: there is very little, almost only the bare essentials. Learners may confuse the words when talking about rooms, food, or living conditions. As a guide: an 'einfaches Zimmer' (simple room) can be perfectly fine; a 'karges Zimmer' (sparse room) feels empty and uncomfortable.
Nach der langen Reise bekam sie nur eine karge Mahlzeit mit Brot und Suppe.
After the long journey, she was given only a meager meal of bread and soup.
Das Hotelzimmer war einfach, aber sauber und ruhig.
The hotel room was simple, but clean and quiet.