Which German word is used for "flattening"?

The term "Abflachung" is indeed the correct word for "flattening" in German. It derives from the root "flach," which means "flat," and the prefix "ab" indicates a process of making something flatter or reducing its dimension in one direction, aligning perfectly with the concept of flattening.

In the context of various applications, "Abflachung" is commonly used in fields such as manufacturing, engineering, or geology, where the physical process of flattening an object or surface is relevant. This term emphasizes a significant change from a three-dimensional shape to a more two-dimensional one.

The other terms can be related to different processes. "Glättung" refers to smoothing, which implies making a surface even without necessarily changing its overall height profile. "Verdichtung" means compaction or densification, which involves making something denser or more compact, often used in contexts such as soil compaction or material compression. "Verringerung" means reduction, indicating a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity but does not specifically pertain to flattening.

Thus, "Abflachung" is clearly aligned with the specific action of flattening an object or surface, making it the most appropriate