Oberschüler trainieren für den Stadtwerke-Schülermarathon

What does “überschaubar” mean in German?

Asked how many student teams have signed up, the coach answers: “im Augenblick ist es noch sehr überschaubar.” The registration deadline hasn’t passed yet, so only a handful have entered. “Überschaubar” means a number or situation small enough that you can take it all in at a glance — easy to track, nothing overwhelming. He isn’t worried; he’s just saying it’s early and the numbers are still low for now.

Spoken line: “im Augenblick ist es noch sehr überschaubar” — “right now it’s still very small / easy to keep track of.” “Überschaubar” describes something you can see or grasp in full, without it feeling like too much. It often means a small, manageable amount. - “Die Kosten bleiben überschaubar.” — “The costs stay manageable (not too high).” - “Eine überschaubare Gruppe.” — “A small, easy-to-handle group.” - “Die Lage ist noch überschaubar.” — “The situation is still under control / easy to follow.” Usage: it can mean a low number (few sign-ups, few costs) or a clear, easy-to-follow situation. The opposite is “unüberschaubar” — too big or too messy to take in.