eben
Translation
just (now), even, flat, exactly
Examples
Er ist eben angekommen.
He has just arrived.
Das ist eben so, da kann man nichts machen.
That's just the way it is, you can't do anything about it.
Das Feld ist ganz eben.
The field is completely flat.
Grammar Patterns
as a temporal adverb (just) She has eben called.
as a modal particle (that's just how it is) So ist das Leben eben.
as an adjective (flat, even) The table is eben.
Similar Words
Synonyms (just): gerade, soeben; Synonyms (flat): flach, glatt
Etymology
From Old High German 'eban' (level, equal), related to English 'even'.
Memory Tips
It's a direct cognate of 'even'. Think of an 'even' surface (flat) or 'even so' (that's just how it is).