überschaubar
manageable
Such that one can easily grasp, understand, or handle it because it is not too large or complex.
EXAMPLE
Die Anzahl der Aufgaben für heute ist überschaubar.
The number of tasks for today is manageable.
überschaubar
manageable
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Meanings
überschaubar
limited
Rather small, limited, or not especially impressive. Sometimes used slightly ironically or euphemistically.
EXAMPLE
Das Interesse an der Veranstaltung war, um es vorsichtig auszudrücken, überschaubar.
Interest in the event was, to put it carefully, limited.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the verb 'überschauen' (to survey/grasp) and the ending '-bar' (-able). 'Überschauen' means to take something in with the eyes or mentally. The ending '-bar' means 'capable of' or 'possible'. So 'überschaubar' (manageable) literally means 'what one can survey/grasp'.
EXAMPLE
Die Risiken des Projekts sind klar und überschaubar.
The risks of the project are clear and manageable.
Typical collocations
'Überschaubar' (manageable) is often used to describe the size or complexity of things. Typical combinations are 'eine überschaubare Anzahl' (a manageable number), 'überschaubare Kosten' (manageable costs), or 'ein überschaubarer Aufwand' (a manageable amount of effort).
EXAMPLE
Zum Glück war der finanzielle Schaden überschaubar.
Fortunately, the financial damage was manageable.
Ironic use
'Überschaubar' (limited/manageable) is often used ironically or as a euphemism for 'small', 'little', or 'disappointing'. The tone or context makes this meaning clear.
EXAMPLE
Die Begeisterung für meinen Vorschlag war eher überschaubar.
The enthusiasm for my proposal was rather limited.
Compare with
überschaubar vs übersichtlich
clear
Both words can indicate that something is easy to get an overview of. Übersichtlich (clear and well structured) emphasizes a clear arrangement or presentation, while überschaubar (manageable) refers to a limited scope or low level of complexity. Use übersichtlich mainly for a well-structured report, and überschaubar for a task of limited scope.
überschaubar
Die Aufgabe bleibt überschaubar, weil sie nur drei kurze Arbeitsschritte umfasst.
The task remains manageable because it consists of only three short steps.
übersichtlich
Der Bericht ist übersichtlich, weil die Ergebnisse klar nach Themen geordnet sind.
The report is clear because the results are neatly organized by topic.
In real life
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