Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| schlank | /ʃlaŋk/ |
| schmal | /ʃmaːl/ |
| dünn | /dʏn/ |
The adjective schlank is used to describe someone who is slender. Related expressions include Abnehmen, which means to slim down or to shed pounds and Schlanker werden, meaning to become slimmer. You may also encounter Gewicht verlieren, which translates to to lose weight. An informal idiom used to describe someone who is exceptionally thin is Schlank wie eine Bohnenstange, meaning slim like a beanstalk.
Which one should you use?
While schlank describes someone who is slender or fit in a positive, healthy or attractive way, dünn is more neutral or can be perceived as negative, often implying someone is underweight or bony. The word schmal is also a form for slender.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, schlank takes typical German adjective endings depending on the gender, number and case of the noun it modifies (e.g., schlanke, schlanker, schlankes). To use the word as an adverb, you can use the form schlank, though in many contexts a phrase like auf schlanke Weise might be used depending on the intended meaning.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃlaŋk/
Did you know?
- The German word schlank is actually a distant relative of the verb schlingen, which means to twist, wind, or swallow greedily.
- The word schlank can also be used in a business context to describe 'lean' management or processes, such as schlanke Prozesse.
- The word dünn is used for both human weight and the physical thickness of objects, such as a 'thin' slice of bread or a 'thin' book.
Examples in context
- Ich war mal dünn.I used to be slim.This sentence is useful for describing a past state of being thin using dünn.Tatoeba #5962898 by BlundaInte, translation #13459087 by sundown
- Tom ist sehr schlank.Tom is very slim.This sentence is useful for describing someone as very slim using schlank.Tatoeba #8890652 by wolfgangth, translation #7737854 by CK
- Sie ist groß und schlank.She is tall and slim.This sentence is useful for combining height and build using schlank.Tatoeba #11691105 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11580368 by sundown
- Mein Kollege ist schlank und sportlich.My colleague is slim and athletic.
- Die schmale Taille der Frau fällt sofort ins Auge.The woman's slim waist immediately catches the eye.
- Ich wünschte, ich wäre so dünn wie du.I wish I were as slim as you.
- Unser neuer Nachbar ist schlank wie eine Bohnenstange.Our new neighbor is slim like a beanstalk.
- Die Ballerina hat eine zierliche Silhouette.The ballerina has a slender silhouette.
- Ich habe vor, bis zum Sommer noch schlanker zu werden.I plan to become even slimmer by summer.
- Er möchte einige Kilos abnehmen, um gesünder zu leben.He wants to shed a few pounds to live healthier.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are talking about fitness at the gym.
- SarahDu siehst wirklich sehr schlank aus.You look really very slim.
- LukasDanke, ich versuche, schlank zu bleiben.Thanks, I am trying to stay slim.
- SarahIst das Training für dich effektiv?Is the workout effective for you?
- LukasJa, es hilft mir sehr.Yes, it helps me a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slim” translations and entries schlank, schmal, dünn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dünn, schlank, schmal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
