das  Durchkommen

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdʊʁçˌkɔmən/

🎯 What does „das Durchkommen“ mean?

Das Durchkommen (neuter noun) describes the act or result of getting through something difficult, narrow, or blocked. It can refer to various situations:

• Physical passage: Getting through a narrow space, a traffic jam, or a crowd. (e.g., Das Durchkommen im morgendlichen Berufsverkehr war schwierig. - Getting through the morning rush hour traffic was difficult.)
• Overcoming difficulties: Successfully passing an exam, surviving an illness, or reaching a goal despite obstacles. (e.g., Nach langer Krankheit war sein Durchkommen ein Wunder. - After a long illness, his pulling through was a miracle.)
• Succeeding / Getting one's way: The success of a plan or asserting one's position. (e.g., Es gab kein Durchkommen mit seiner Idee im Meeting. - There was no getting through with his idea in the meeting. / He couldn't get his idea across.)

It is the nominalization of the verb durchkommen (to get through).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Durchkommen

Das Durchkommen is a nominalized verb (substantiviertes Verb), derived from durchkommen. It is neuter (sächlich) and is typically used only in the singular, as it describes a process or state.

Declension (Singular)

💡 Example Sentences

1. Im dichten Nebel gab es kaum ein Durchkommen.
   (In the thick fog, there was hardly any getting through.)
2. Die Ursache des mühsamen Durchkommens war ein Unfall.
   (The cause of the difficult passage was an accident.)
3. Wir verdanken unser Leben dem schnellen Durchkommen der Rettungskräfte.
   (We owe our lives to the quick arrival/getting through of the rescue services.)
4. Er versuchte, das Durchkommen durch die Absperrung zu erzwingen.
   (He tried to force his way through the barrier / force passage through the barrier.)

🚀 How and When to Use „das Durchkommen“?

Das Durchkommen is often used in contexts where an obstacle or difficulty needs to be overcome.

• Traffic: Very common in connection with traffic jams or difficult road conditions. Example: Auf der Autobahn A5 gibt es wegen Bauarbeiten derzeit kein Durchkommen. (On the A5 motorway, there is currently no getting through due to construction work.)
• Illness/Recovery: Describes survival or recovery after a serious illness. Example: Nach der Operation hofften alle auf sein baldiges Durchkommen. (After the operation, everyone hoped for his speedy recovery/pulling through.)
• Exams/Challenges: Successfully passing a test or mastering a difficult task. Example: Bei dieser schweren Klausur war das Durchkommen das Wichtigste. (For this difficult exam, just getting through/passing was the most important thing.)
• Communication/Negotiations: When a message, idea, or demand is accepted or 'gets through'. Example: Mit seiner Kritik fand er bei der Chefin kein Durchkommen. (He couldn't get through to the boss with his criticism / His criticism didn't get through to the boss.)

It can be used both literally (physical passage) and figuratively (success, overcoming). It is often used with the negation kein Durchkommen to express impossibility.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

↔️ Opposites and Synonyms: Finding the Right Word

⚠️ Caution: Not all synonyms are interchangeable in every context. Das Durchkommen often stresses the aspect of overcoming resistance.

😂 A Little Joke

Fahrlehrer: „Was tun Sie, wenn Sie im Stau stehen und es absolut kein Durchkommen gibt?“
Fahrschüler: „Den Motor abstellen und das Autoradio lauter drehen?“

Driving instructor: "What do you do when you're stuck in traffic and there's absolutely no getting through?"
Learner driver: "Turn off the engine and turn up the car radio?"

📜 Poem about Getting Through

Der Weg ist steil, der Pfad ist schmal,
Die Prüfung schwer, die Angst, die Qual.
Doch Schritt für Schritt, mit Mut und Kraft,
Wird das Durchkommen doch geschafft.
Im Stau des Lebens, dicht an dicht,
Verliert man manchmal Zuversicht.
Doch Hoffnung keimt, ein kleiner Spalt,
Das Durchkommen siegt, schon sehr bald.

--- English Translation ---

The way is steep, the path is narrow,
The test is hard, the fear, the sorrow.
But step by step, with courage and might,
Getting through is achieved, alright.
In life's traffic jam, dense and tight,
One sometimes loses hopeful sight.
But hope sprouts forth, a little slit,
Getting through triumphs, soon a bit.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Weg, doch führe hindurch.
Ich bin kein Sieg, doch folge dem Bruch
Von Widerstand, im Stau, im Streit.
Man hofft auf mich zu jeder Zeit.
Nach Krankheit schwer, bei engem Pass,
Was bin ich wohl? Na klar, ...

(Lösung/Solution: das Durchkommen)

--- English Translation ---

I am no path, yet I lead through.
I am no victory, but follow the breaking through
Of resistance, in traffic, in strife.
People hope for me throughout their life.
After grave illness, in a narrow pass,
What am I then? Of course, ...

(Solution: getting through / passage / das Durchkommen)

🧩 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Formation

Das Durchkommen is a nominalization (Substantivierung) of the separable verb durchkommen.

• Prefix: durch- (indicates movement through something)
• Base verb: kommen (to come)
• Nominalization: The infinitive durchkommen becomes the noun das Durchkommen.

Related Terms

• durchkommen (verb): (to get through, to come through, to pass) e.g., Er ist mit seiner Erkältung gut durchgekommen. (He got through his cold well.) Der Anruf kommt nicht durch. (The call isn't getting through.)
• Das Auskommen: (Livelihood, subsistence) Having enough means to live.
• Das Einkommen: (Income) Salary, wages.