German word

banal

Pronunciation

IPA/baˈnaːl/

Meaning

  • adjectivecommonplace

Example

Das ist ein banales Beispiel.

That is a commonplace example.

Illustration for banal (commonplace)

More examples

Seine banale Bemerkung beendete das Gespräch schnell.

His banal remark ended the conversation quickly.

Core concept

A familiar remark or routine scene has been repeated so often that it offers no fresh insight.

Common phrases

  • banale Bemerkung

    banal remark

  • eine banale Frage

    a banal question

  • banal wirken

    seem banal

Similar words

gewöhnlich: Ordinary and not noticeably different from what is usual.
trivial: So simple or unimportant that it seems to have little value.
alltäglich: Common in daily life and unlikely to attract attention.
oberflächlich: Focused only on outward features, with little depth or substance.

Definition in German

nicht originell oder interessant; etwas Gewöhnliches, das keine Neuheit bietet.

Word origin

German banal comes through French banal from Old French ban, a term connected with public authority and common use, and developed toward the sense of something unoriginal.

Usage tips

  • In German, banal often sounds dismissive because it suggests triteness, while gewöhnlich and alltäglich are usually more neutral.

Other meanings

  • triteadjective
  • mundaneadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Banalitätbanalitynoun
  • banalisierenbanalizeverb
  • banalisiertbanalizedadjective

Word lists with this word