adjective
narrow, slim
B1
schmal means narrow or slim, used for spaces, passages, or thin objects. Gradable: comparative schmaler, superlative am schmalsten. Antonym breit. Regular adjective inflection applies. Typically used attributively (a narrow street) or predicatively; no special prepositions or reflexive forms. Common in architectural and everyday descriptions.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Er hat eine schmale Figur und trägt oft enge Kleidung.
He has a slim figure and often wears tight clothes.
Die Straße war schmal, sodass die LKW nicht passieren konnten.
The road was narrow, so the trucks could not pass.
Die Straße hier ist sehr schmal.
The street here is very narrow.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a narrow alley where two people must walk single-file; picture a thin line to remember 'schmal'.
Think of English 'small' — both words are short and evoke a reduced size.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Used for physical width (a narrow object) and figuratively (narrow margin). Comparative: schmaler; superlative: am schmalsten.