| eben |
| 1. adj. flat, smooth, even (of a surface) | |
| 2. adv. (modal particle) so, just, simply, indicating that something is generally known, or cannot be changed, or the like; often untranslatable | |
| Er ist eben ein Idiot... - So he's an idiot... | |
| Dann müssen wir eben härter arbeiten. - Then we'll just have to work harder. | |
| 3. adv. (modal particle) just, quickly, indicating that something is done fast or without much complication | |
| Ich geh mal eben zur Theke. - I'll just go to the bar. | |
| Könnten Sie mir vielleicht eben helfen? - Could you maybe help me out really quickly? | |
| 4. adv. just; a moment ago | |
| Wo ist denn dein Mann? Der saß doch eben noch hier. - Where's your husband? He was sitting here just a minute ago. | |
| 5. adv. (literary, with dieser) exactly, very | |
| Es sollte eben diese Entscheidung sein, die ihn in den Bankrott treiben würde. - It would be this very decision that drove him into bankruptcy. | |
