eben meaning and definition in german

Adjective

Frequency:

comparative ebener, superlative ebensten

1. flat, smooth, even (of a surface)

Adverb

Frequency:

1. 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.
2. 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?
3. 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.
4. 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.