schlank
/ʃlaŋk/
The German word for slender is schlank.
The word schlank is commonly used in the context of fitness, health and aesthetics to describe a desirable body type.
Which one should you use?
While schlank is a positive or neutral way to say someone is slender or slim, dünn is more literal and can carry a negative connotation of being underweight or 'thin'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective before a feminine noun, schlank takes the ending -e, as in eine schlanke Frau. The comparative form of schlank is schlanker, and the superlative form is am schlanksten.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃlaŋk/
Did you know?
- The concept of being 'lean' in a sporting context is expressed with schlank, but 'lean meat' is described using mager.
- The word schlank is a distant relative of the English word 'sling', as both come from a root meaning 'to twist or wind'.
- German has the word schlacksig, which describes someone who is not just schlank but tall and gangly in an awkward way.
Examples in context
- Sie hat eine schlanke Figur.She has a slender figure.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a figure with schlank.Tatoeba #731083 by Manfredo, translation #312175 by sundown
- Tom ist schlank, nicht wahr?Tom is slender, isn't he?This sentence is useful for asking a question about someone being schlank.Tatoeba #4089742 by Dani6187, translation #3730458 by CM
- Sie war eine große, schlanke Blondine.She was a tall, slender blonde.This sentence is useful for describing a person using schlank.Tatoeba #664816 by Manfredo, translation #316144 by CK
- Sie ist eine schlanke FrauShe is a slender woman.
- Sie ist eine zierliche BallerinaShe is a slender ballerina.
- Er ist schlacksig, aber sehr sportlichHe is slender but very athletic.
- Schau mal, diese Puppe ist so dünn wie ein Bleistift!Look, this doll is as slender as a pencil!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a model in a magazine.
- FelixDas Model sieht sehr schlank aus.The model looks very slender.
- HannahJa, sie ist wirklich sehr schlank.Yes, she is really very slender.
- FelixIch finde sie sehr elegant.I think she is very elegant.
- HannahDas stimmt, sie wirkt sehr sportlich.That's true, she looks very athletic.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry schlank, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schlank, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
