Ebene
Meaning and Usage
"Die Ebene" in German refers to a plain or a level surface, both in the literal and figurative sense. It can also denote a plain in geography. In a different context, "die Ebene" can also refer to a level of a building.
Linguistic Analysis
"Die Ebene" is a feminine noun. It doesn't have a clear prefix or suffix and its etymology can be traced back to the Middle High German word "ebene."
Comparisons between German and English
The word "Ebene" in German aligns with the English word "plain" in meaning but is also similar to "level" in some contexts.
Cultural Context
In cultural contexts, "Ebene" can be used when describing geographic landscapes, such as the North German Plain ("Norddeutsche Tiefebene") or when referring to a level of a building or structure.
Example Sentences
- Die Ebene dieses Landes ist von weiten Weizenfeldern geprägt. (The plain of this country is characterized by wide wheat fields.)
- Bitte legen Sie die Schraube auf die ebene Fläche. (Please place the screw on the level surface.)
Memory Tips
Associate "Ebene" with the idea of a "plain" or something being "level" to remember its meaning.
Additional Vocabulary
- Der Grund (the ground)
- Die Landschaft (the landscape)
- Flach (flat)
Gender and Plural
- Gender: Feminine
- Plural: Die Ebenen
Conjugation
N/A