flat / stale
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flat
Refers to drinks that have lost their carbonation and therefore taste bland and no longer refreshing.
Lass die Flasche nicht so lange offen stehen, sonst wird die Limonade schal.
Don't leave the bottle open for so long, or the lemonade will go flat.
hollow / stale
In a figurative sense, used for something that is mindless, boring, lacking substance, or lacking the expected effect.
Seine Entschuldigung klang schal und unehrlich.
His apology sounded hollow and insincere.
The adjective 'schal' (flat) is used almost exclusively for carbonated drinks that have lost their freshness. Typical examples are 'schales Bier' (flat beer), 'schale Limonade' (flat lemonade), or 'schaler Sekt' (flat sparkling wine).
Das Bier stand zu lange auf dem Tisch und schmeckt jetzt schal.
The beer sat on the table too long and now tastes flat.
'Schal' (flat) is very often combined with the verb 'werden' (to become) to describe the process of losing freshness.
Mach die Flasche schnell zu, sonst wird die Cola schal.
Close the bottle quickly, or the cola will go flat.
In its figurative meaning, 'schal' (hollow/stale) describes abstract things that lack the expected effect or substance. Common combinations are 'eine schale Ausrede' (a weak excuse), 'ein schaler Witz' (a stale joke), or 'ein schaler Beigeschmack' (a bad aftertaste).
Sein Lob klang schal und nicht ehrlich gemeint.
His praise sounded hollow and not sincerely meant.
cloth / scarf
According to the meanings given, „das Tuch“ and „schal“ cannot refer to the same item of clothing. „Tuch“ here means a piece of fabric, while „schal“ describes drinks that have gone flat or something insipid and ineffective. This pair is therefore not suitable for explaining a fabric accessory that is worn.
Der Saft schmeckte schal, weil er lange offen gestanden hatte.
The juice tasted flat because it had been left open for a long time.
Sie legte das Tuch vorsichtig über den kleinen Tisch.
She carefully placed the cloth over the small table.
