superficial / shallow
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superficial
Referring to a person: not interested in deep topics or inner values, but mainly focused on outward things such as appearance, fashion, or status.
Er ist ein netter, aber ziemlich oberflächlicher Mensch, mit dem man keine ernsten Gespräche führen kann.
He is a nice but rather superficial person, and you can't have serious conversations with him.
The word is made up of 'Oberfläche' (surface) and the ending '-lich' (-like). So it literally means 'like the surface'. This origin explains all its meanings: a person who only pays attention to outward appearances, an analysis that does not go into depth, or a wound that is only on the skin.
Die Untersuchung blieb leider sehr an der Oberfläche.
Unfortunately, the investigation remained very much on the surface.
The noun that 'oberflächlich' (superficial) describes reveals the exact meaning. If it refers to a person or a conversation, it is about character. If it refers to an analysis or work, it is about thoroughness. If it refers to an injury or damage, it is meant literally.
Er ist ein netter, aber oberflächlicher Mensch.
He is a nice but superficial person.
'Oberflächlich' (superficial/superficially) can also be used as an adverb to modify a verb. It then means 'nicht gründlich' (not thoroughly) or 'nur an der Oberfläche' (only on the surface).
Wir haben das Thema im Kurs nur oberflächlich behandelt.
We only dealt with the topic superficially in the course.
exact / precise
'genau' and 'oberflächlich' can both describe how someone deals with a subject. 'genau' means that you pay attention to details and do something precisely or carefully. 'oberflächlich' means here that you only consider the most important or visible points and are not thorough enough. So the contrast is: deep and careful versus only brief and without many details. For an exam, check, or description, 'genau' fits when everything needs to be correct. 'oberflächlich' fits when something was done too quickly or not thoroughly.
Der Bericht war zu oberflächlich, deshalb fehlten wichtige Informationen.
The report was too superficial, so important information was missing.
Die Ärztin erklärt dem Patienten genau, wie er die Tabletten nehmen soll.
The doctor explains to the patient exactly how he should take the tablets.