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A1 adjective #1,500 mais comum 9 min de leitura

dünn

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas dünn em 30 segundos

Explicação dünn in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'dünn' is used in its most literal sense to describe physical objects and people. Learners should focus on basic sentences like 'Das Buch ist dünn' or 'Der Mann ist dünn'. It is one of the first adjectives learned to describe dimensions, usually paired with its opposite 'dick' (thick/fat). At this stage, the focus is on simple subject-verb-adjective structures and basic noun phrases. You might use it to describe clothes ('eine dünne Jacke') or food ('eine dünne Scheibe Brot'). The goal is to recognize the word in daily life and use it to provide basic descriptions of the world around you.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'dünn' to describe the consistency of liquids and more varied physical states. You might talk about a 'dünne Suppe' (thin soup) or 'dünner Kaffee' (weak coffee). This level also introduces the comparative and superlative forms: 'dünner' and 'am dünnsten'. Learners should be able to compare two objects, such as 'Dieses Papier ist dünner als jenes'. There is also a growing awareness of the difference between 'dünn' and 'schlank', though 'dünn' remains the primary word for describing lack of thickness in any context.

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At the B1 level, 'dünn' starts appearing in more idiomatic and abstract contexts. Learners encounter phrases like 'auf dünnem Eis stehen' (to be on thin ice) and understand the metaphorical meaning of risk. You might also use it to describe atmospheric conditions, such as 'die dünne Luft' in the mountains. The word is used more precisely in instructions, such as 'den Teig dünn ausrollen' (roll the dough thinly). B1 learners should also be comfortable with adjective declension in all cases, ensuring 'dünn' changes correctly based on the noun it modifies (e.g., 'wegen des dünnen Eises').

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At the B2 level, 'dünn' is used to describe the quality of arguments, evidence, or resources. A 'dünne Beweislage' (thin evidence) or a 'dünne Ausrede' (thin excuse) are common expressions in news and literature. Learners should be able to distinguish between 'dünn', 'schmal', and 'mager' with high accuracy. The word is also used in professional contexts, such as describing a 'dünne Personaldecke' (low staffing levels). B2 learners use 'dünn' to add nuance to their descriptions, moving beyond simple physical traits to evaluate the substance and validity of abstract concepts.

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At the C1 level, learners appreciate the stylistic nuances of 'dünn'. They might use it to describe a 'dünne Stimme' (thin/weak voice) to convey a specific character trait in writing. The word appears in complex socio-economic discussions, such as describing the 'dünne Besiedlung' (sparse population) of certain regions. C1 learners are expected to use the word fluently in all its metaphorical forms and understand its role in creating imagery. They can also use related terms like 'hauchdünn' or 'spindeldürr' to provide precise emphasis and color to their language.

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At the C2 level, 'dünn' is used with native-like precision in academic, literary, and highly technical contexts. This includes describing 'dünne Schichten' in physics or chemistry, or using the word in philosophical debates about the 'dünne Linie' (thin line) between two concepts. C2 learners understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and can use it to evoke specific emotions or atmospheres in creative writing. They are fully aware of the subtle social implications of using 'dünn' versus 'schlank' or 'hager' and can navigate these choices perfectly in any social or professional setting.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

dünn em 30 segundos

Dünn describes objects with little thickness, like paper or a thin slice of bread.
It can describe people who are skinny, though 'schlank' is a more polite alternative.
It refers to watery liquids like weak coffee or thin soup.
Metaphorically, it describes weak excuses or a lack of oxygen in high altitudes.

The German adjective dünn is a fundamental word that primarily describes a lack of thickness, depth, or density. At its most basic level, it is used to describe physical objects that have a small distance between opposite sides, such as a thin sheet of paper or a thin slice of bread. Unlike the English word 'thin', which can sometimes be synonymous with 'slim' in a positive sense, dünn in German often carries a more neutral or even slightly negative connotation when referring to people, suggesting someone is underweight rather than 'fit'.

Physical Dimension: Refers to objects with minimal thickness. Example: Eine dünne Schicht Eis (A thin layer of ice).

Das Papier ist so dünn, dass man hindurchsehen kann.

Beyond physical objects, dünn extends to the consistency of liquids and gases. A soup that has too much water and not enough ingredients is described as dünn. Similarly, as you climb higher into the mountains, the air becomes dünner (thinner/rarefied), meaning it contains less oxygen. This versatility makes it an essential word for describing the world around you, from the texture of your clothing to the quality of the air you breathe.

Consistency: Used for liquids that are watery or lack substance. Example: Der Kaffee ist viel zu dünn.

In den Bergen wird die Luft dünn.

In abstract contexts, dünn describes things that lack substance, strength, or credibility. If someone provides a 'thin' excuse, it is a dünne Ausrede. If a person's voice is weak or high-pitched, it might be called eine dünne Stimme. The word also appears in famous idioms like 'sich dünn machen' (to make oneself scarce or leave quietly). Understanding these layers—from the physical to the metaphorical—is key to mastering the word.

Abstract Substance: Refers to arguments or excuses that are not convincing. Example: Das ist eine sehr dünne Begründung.

Er hat eine sehr dünne Stimme am Telefon.

Die Suppe schmeckt dünn und wässrig.

Zieh dir was an, die Jacke ist zu dünn für den Winter.

Using dünn correctly requires attention to adjective endings and the specific context of comparison. As an adjective, it follows standard German declension rules. For example, 'ein dünnes Buch' (neuter), 'eine dünne Suppe' (feminine), and 'ein dünner Faden' (masculine). It is often used predicatively (after the verb) where it remains undeclined: 'Das Brett ist dünn.'

Comparative Forms: Positive: dünn | Comparative: dünner | Superlative: am dünnsten.

Dieses Seil ist dünner als das andere.

When applying dünn to people, you must be careful with the social nuance. While 'schlank' is a compliment (slim/slender), 'dünn' can sound like a criticism (scrawny/skinny). However, in medical or descriptive contexts, it is perfectly acceptable. For example, 'Er ist sehr dünn geworden' might imply concern about someone's health. In the world of materials, dünn is used to specify precision, such as 'hauchdünn' (paper-thin/whisper-thin).

Adverbial Use: Describing how something is applied. Example: Die Farbe bitte ganz dünn auftragen.

Schneide die Tomaten bitte in dünne Scheiben.

In culinary instructions, dünn is indispensable. You will often see 'dünn ausrollen' (roll out thinly) when making pastry or pizza dough. In technical German, it describes wires (dünne Drähte) or layers of coating. The word is also frequently paired with intensifiers like 'sehr' (very), 'extrem' (extremely), or 'unglaublich' (unbelievably) to emphasize the lack of thickness.

Intensifiers: Common pairings: hauchdünn (paper-thin), spindeldürr (spindle-thin), extrem dünn.

Das Eis auf dem See ist noch viel zu dünn.

Mit dieser Ausrede bewegst du dich auf dünnem Eis.

Die Haare meines Opas werden langsam dünn.

You will encounter dünn in a wide variety of daily situations in Germany. In a bakery or deli, you might ask for 'dünne Scheiben Schinken' (thin slices of ham). In a clothing store, a salesperson might warn you that a fabric is 'sehr dünn' and perhaps better suited for summer. It's a word that bridges the gap between domestic life, commerce, and nature.

In the Kitchen: Commonly used to describe the consistency of sauces, soups, or how ingredients should be cut.

Soll ich die Zwiebeln dünn schneiden?

Weather reports and outdoor activities are another common source. If you are planning a hike in the Alps, the guide might mention that 'die Luft oben dünn wird' (the air gets thin up there). In winter, warnings about 'dünnes Eis' on lakes are frequent on the news. These contexts emphasize the physical reality of the word and its importance for safety and planning.

In Nature: Used for branches, ice, or atmospheric conditions. Example: Ein dünner Ast brach unter der Last.

Die Luft in dieser Höhe ist sehr dünn.

In social commentary or news, you might hear about 'eine dünne Personaldecke' (a thin staffing level), meaning a company or hospital is understaffed. Or, in a political debate, a journalist might criticize a 'dünne Datenlage' (thin data/evidence base). These more advanced uses show how the word moves from the physical world into the realm of organization and logic.

Professional Context: Refers to resources or evidence that are insufficient. Example: Die Beweise sind etwas dünn.

Wir haben heute eine sehr dünne Personaldecke im Büro.

Der Stoff ist so dünn, dass er leicht reißt.

Sein Bartwuchs ist noch ziemlich dünn.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is using dünn as a direct translation for 'thin' when they actually mean 'slim' or 'slender'. In German, dünn can sound critical, as if the person is too thin or sickly. To compliment someone on their figure, 'schlank' is the correct choice. Using dünn in a social setting might accidentally offend someone.

Dünn vs. Schlank: 'Dünn' is often negative/neutral (skinny); 'Schlank' is positive (slim/fit).

Sag nicht: 'Du bist so dünn!', wenn du ein Kompliment machen willst.

Another common error occurs when describing liquids. While English speakers might say a coffee is 'weak', Germans say it is dünn. However, you cannot use dünn for 'weak' in terms of physical strength (that would be 'schwach'). Confusing these two can lead to strange sentences like 'Ich fühle mich heute dünn' (I feel thin today) when you mean 'I feel weak'.

Liquid Consistency: Use 'dünn' for watery coffee/soup. Do not use 'schwach' here.

Der Kaffee ist mir zu dünn, ich mag ihn stärker.

Finally, watch out for the comparative form. Some learners forget the umlaut and say 'dunner', but the correct form is dünner. Also, when describing hair, 'dünnes Haar' refers to the thickness of the individual strands or the overall density. If someone is losing hair, you might say 'das Haar wird lichter' (the hair is thinning out), though dünn is also commonly used.

Spelling & Pronunciation: Always include the Umlaut (ü). Without it, the word does not exist in German.

Meine Haare sind sehr dünn und fein.

Das Brett ist zu dünn für das Regal.

Die Suppe ist viel zu dünn geraten.

To truly master dünn, you must understand its relationship with similar words. German has a rich vocabulary for describing size and consistency. While dünn is the most general term, words like 'schlank', 'mager', and 'fein' offer more specific nuances. Choosing the right one depends entirely on the object and the tone you wish to convey.

Dünn vs. Schlank: 'Dünn' is physical thickness; 'Schlank' is an aesthetic quality (slender/slim).

Sie hat eine schlanke Figur, aber das Papier ist dünn.

For food, 'mager' (lean) is often used for meat that has little fat. You wouldn't call a piece of meat dünn unless you were talking about how it was sliced. For textures, 'fein' (fine) is used for things like sand or hair that are delicate and small in diameter. 'Licht' (sparse/light) is often used for hair that is thinning out, providing a more descriptive alternative to dünn.

Dünn vs. Mager: Use 'mager' for meat or a very skinny person (often negative); 'dünn' for objects.

Das Fleisch ist sehr mager.

In technical contexts, 'schmal' (narrow) is often confused with dünn. 'Schmal' refers to the width of something (like a path or a face), while dünn refers to the thickness. A person can have a 'schmales Gesicht' (narrow face) and 'dünne Lippen' (thin lips). Understanding these spatial distinctions is a hallmark of an advanced learner.

Dünn vs. Schmal: 'Dünn' = depth/thickness; 'Schmal' = width. A path is 'schmal', a book is 'dünn'.

Der Pfad durch den Wald ist sehr schmal.

Er hat dünne Arme.

Die Luft wird dünner, je höher wir steigen.

How Formal Is It?

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

Adjective declension

Comparison of adjectives

Umlaut changes in comparison

Adverbial use of adjectives

Genitive case with 'wegen'

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Exemplos por nível

Das Buch ist sehr dünn.

The book is very thin.

Predicative use of adjective.

Er ist ein dünner Junge.

He is a thin boy.

Attributive use, masculine nominative.

Ich möchte eine dünne Scheibe Brot.

I would like a thin slice of bread.

Attributive use, feminine accusative.

Die Jacke ist zu dünn für den Winter.

The jacket is too thin for winter.

Adjective after 'zu' (too).

Das Papier ist weiß und dünn.

The paper is white and thin.

Compound adjective phrase.

Meine Finger sind dünn.

My fingers are thin.

Plural subject.

Ist das Eis dünn?

Is the ice thin?

Interrogative sentence.

Hier ist ein dünner Bleistift.

Here is a thin pencil.

Indefinite article + adjective.

Die Suppe schmeckt ein bisschen dünn.

The soup tastes a bit thin/watery.

Describing consistency.

Dieses Seil ist dünner als das blaue Seil.

This rope is thinner than the blue rope.

Comparative with 'als'.

Im Sommer trage ich dünne Kleidung.

In summer I wear thin clothing.

Plural accusative.

Der Kaffee ist mir zu dünn.

The coffee is too weak for me.

Dative of interest ('mir').

Schneide die Gurke in dünne Scheiben.

Cut the cucumber into thin slices.

Imperative + plural adjective.

Das ist das dünnste Handy der Welt.

That is the thinnest phone in the world.

Superlative form.

Die Wände in dieser Wohnung sind sehr dünn.

The walls in this apartment are very thin.

Plural predicative.

Er hat sehr dünne Beine.

He has very thin legs.

Describing physique.

Du solltest den Teig sehr dünn ausrollen.

You should roll the dough out very thinly.

Adverbial use.

Pass auf, du stehst auf dünnem Eis!

Watch out, you're standing on thin ice!

Idiomatic expression.

Die Luft in den Bergen ist oft dünn.

The air in the mountains is often thin.

Scientific/geographic context.

Sie hat eine sehr dünne, hohe Stimme.

She has a very thin, high voice.

Describing sound.

Wegen des dünnen Stoffes ist das Kleid kaputtgegangen.

Because of the thin fabric, the dress tore.

Genitive case after 'wegen'.

Der Nebel war so dünn, dass man die Sonne sah.

The fog was so thin that you could see the sun.

Consecutive clause with 'so... dass'.

Er hat sich ganz dünn gemacht und ist verschwunden.

He made himself scarce and disappeared.

Reflexive idiom.

Die Haare meines Vaters werden langsam dünn.

My father's hair is slowly getting thin.

Process of change.

Die Beweislage gegen ihn ist äußerst dünn.

The evidence against him is extremely thin.

Abstract usage.

Das war eine ziemlich dünne Ausrede für dein Zuspätkommen.

That was a rather thin excuse for your being late.

Metaphorical usage.

Die Personaldecke im Krankenhaus ist zurzeit sehr dünn.

Staffing levels at the hospital are currently very thin.

Compound noun 'Personaldecke'.

Das Eis, auf dem er sich bewegt, wird immer dünner.

The ice he is walking on is getting thinner and thinner.

Extended metaphor.

Die Atmosphäre auf dem Mars ist viel dünner als auf der Erde.

The atmosphere on Mars is much thinner than on Earth.

Scientific comparison.

Ihre Geduld war an diesem Tag schon sehr dünn.

Her patience was already very thin that day.

Describing emotional state.

Er trägt nur ein dünnes Hemd trotz der Kälte.

He is only wearing a thin shirt despite the cold.

Contrast with 'trotz'.

Die Verbindung zwischen den beiden Ereignissen ist dünn.

The connection between the two events is thin.

Abstract relationship.

Die hauchdünne Schicht Gold schützt die Oberfläche.

The paper-thin layer of gold protects the surface.

Compound adjective 'hauchdünn'.

In dieser Höhe ist die Luft so dünn, dass man Sauerstoff braucht.

At this altitude, the air is so thin that oxygen is needed.

Technical/Environmental context.

Das Buch bietet nur eine dünne Analyse der komplexen Lage.

The book offers only a thin analysis of the complex situation.

Academic criticism.

Er wirkte nach der langen Krankheit hager und dünn.

He looked gaunt and thin after the long illness.

Synonym pairing 'hager und dünn'.

Die Grenze zwischen Genie und Wahnsinn ist oft dünn.

The line between genius and madness is often thin.

Philosophical usage.

Die Besiedlung in dieser Wüstenregion ist extrem dünn.

The settlement in this desert region is extremely sparse.

Demographic context.

Seine Argumentation war so dünn, dass sie sofort in sich zusammenbrach.

His argumentation was so thin that it immediately collapsed.

Metaphorical collapse.

Das Licht fiel durch die dünnen Vorhänge ins Zimmer.

The light fell through the thin curtains into the room.

Describing light permeability.

Die ontologische Differenz erweist sich als ein dünnes Gespinst.

The ontological difference proves to be a thin web/illusion.

Highly academic/philosophical.

Die Materie war in diesem Teil des Universums außerordentlich dünn gesät.

Matter was extraordinarily sparsely sown in this part of the universe.

Cosmological context.

Seine literarische Produktivität war in jenen Jahren eher dünn.

His literary productivity was rather thin in those years.

Describing output/frequency.

Das Gewebe der Erzählung ist an dieser Stelle gefährlich dünn.

The fabric of the narrative is dangerously thin at this point.

Literary criticism.

Die hauchdünne Membran trennt die beiden chemischen Lösungen.

The paper-thin membrane separates the two chemical solutions.

Technical/Scientific precision.

Es herrscht eine dünne Atmosphäre des Misstrauens im Team.

There is a thin atmosphere of mistrust in the team.

Metaphorical atmosphere.

Die Beweisführung des Autors bleibt in weiten Teilen dünn.

The author's argumentation remains thin in many parts.

Formal review language.

Sich dünn zu machen, wenn es Probleme gibt, ist keine Lösung.

To slip away when there are problems is no solution.

Substantivized infinitive with idiom.

Colocações comuns

dünne Scheibe

dünne Suppe

dünne Luft

dünne Ausrede

dünnes Eis

dünnes Haar

dünne Schicht

dünne Kleidung

dünne Personaldecke

dünner Faden

Frases Comuns

Sich dünn machen

Auf dünnem Eis stehen

Durch dick und dünn gehen

Die Luft wird dünn

Ein dünnes Brett bohren

Den Teig dünn ausrollen

In dünne Scheiben schneiden

Dünn besiedelt

Dünn gesät

Eine dünne Stimme haben

Frequentemente confundido com

dünn vs schlank

Schlank is positive (slim), dünn is neutral/negative (thin).

dünn vs schmal

Schmal is narrow (width), dünn is thin (depth).

dünn vs mager

Mager is lean (meat) or very skinny (people).

Expressões idiomáticas

"Durch dick und dünn gehen (To go through thick and thin/remain loyal)."

"Sich dünn machen (To slip away/disappear)."

"Auf dünnem Eis stehen (To be in a risky situation)."

"Die Luft wird dünn (The situation is getting critical/difficult)."

"Ein dünnes Brett bohren (To take the easy way out)."

"Dünn gesät sein (To be rare/scarce)."

"Den Faden dünn spinnen (To make a complicated argument)."

"Sich auf dünnes Eis begeben (To take a risk)."

"Einen dünnen Strahl pissen (To be very afraid - vulgar)."

"Die Decke ist dünn (Resources are limited)."

Fácil de confundir

dünn vs

Padrões de frases

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Como usar

physical

Used for objects and people.

consistency

Used for liquids and gases.

metaphorical

Used for arguments and risks.

Erros comuns

Using 'dünn' instead of 'schlank' for a compliment.
Using 'dünn' instead of 'schmal' for a narrow path.
Forgetting the umlaut in 'dünner'.
Using 'schwach' for watery soup instead of 'dünn'.
Using 'dünn' to mean 'hungry'.

Dicas

Word Choice

Use 'schlank' for people you like and 'dünn' for objects.

Endings

Don't forget the 'e' in 'eine dünne Scheibe'.

Friendship

The phrase 'durch dick und dünn' is great for cards to friends.

Umlaut

The 'ü' is short. Think of the 'i' in 'bit' but with round lips.

Recipes

Look for 'dünn schneiden' in German recipes for vegetables.

Winter

If a sign says 'Eis zu dünn', do not walk on the lake!

Risk

'Dünnes Eis' is a perfect metaphor for a risky topic in a meeting.

Arguments

If a plan is 'dünn', it needs more details and work.

Atmosphere

Use 'dünn' when talking about space or high altitudes.

Precision

Use 'hauchdünn' to sound more descriptive and advanced.

Memorize

Origem da palavra

From Middle High German 'dünne', Old High German 'dunni'. Related to English 'thin' and Latin 'tenuis'.

Contexto cultural

Avoid calling friends 'dünn' as a compliment; use 'schlank' instead.

German 'Abendbrot' often involves very thin slices of cold cuts.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"Ist dir der Kaffee auch zu dünn?"

"Findest du, dass die Luft hier oben dünn wird?"

"Soll ich das Brot in dünne oder dicke Scheiben schneiden?"

"Warum ist das Eis auf dem See noch so dünn?"

"Ist diese Jacke nicht zu dünn für heute?"

Temas para diário

Beschreibe einen Gegenstand, der sehr dünn ist.

Wann bist du das letzte Mal mit jemandem durch dick und dünn gegangen?

Warst du schon einmal an einem Ort, wo die Luft dünn war?

Was machst du, wenn die Suppe zu dünn ist?

Hast du dich schon einmal 'dünn gemacht', um einer Situation zu entkommen?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Not always, but it can be. It's safer to use 'schlank' if you want to be nice.

Yes, it's the standard way to say the coffee is weak or watery.

Usually 'dick' (thick/fat) or 'stark' (strong, for coffee).

Yes, it becomes 'dünner' (with an umlaut).

It means to leave a place quietly or avoid a task.

Yes, 'dünne Luft' means rarefied air with less oxygen.

Yes, it is a basic vocabulary word for beginners.

It is 'am dünnsten'.

No, use 'schmal' for streets or paths.

It means 'whisper-thin' or 'paper-thin'.

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