der
Durchgang
🚪 What is "der Durchgang"?
The German word der Durchgang (masculine) has several meanings:
- Spatial: A way or opening through which one can pass to get from one place to another. Often a narrow path between buildings or rooms. For example: Ein schmaler Durchgang führte zum Hinterhof. (A narrow passage led to the backyard.)
- Temporal/Process: A phase or stage within a larger process or competition. For example: <i>Der erste Durchgang des Wettbewerbs ist abgeschlossen.</i> (The first round of the competition is finished.)
- Act of Passing: The action of passing or traversing itself. For example: Der Durchgang der Zuschauer dauerte eine Stunde. (The passage of the spectators took an hour.)
⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ang → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Durchgang
The noun "Durchgang" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Durchgang |
| Genitive | des | Durchgangs / Durchganges |
| Dative | dem | Durchgang / Durchgange |
| Accusative | der | Durchgang |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Durchgänge |
| Genitive | der | Durchgänge |
| Dative | den | Durchgängen |
| Accusative | die | Durchgänge |
Example Sentences
- Der Durchgang zwischen den Häusern war sehr eng.
(The passage between the houses was very narrow.) - Wegen der Bauarbeiten ist die Nutzung des Durchgangs untersagt.
(Due to construction work, the use of the passage is prohibited.) - Wir trafen uns in dem schmalen Durchgang.
(We met in the narrow passage.) - Bitte halten Sie den Durchgang frei!
(Please keep the passage clear!) - Im zweiten Wahlgang gab es mehrere Durchgänge der Auszählung.
(In the second ballot, there were several rounds of counting.) - Nach langen Diskussionen in den einzelnen Durchgängen wurde eine Entscheidung getroffen.
(After long discussions in the individual rounds, a decision was made.)
🚀 How to Use "der Durchgang"?
"Der Durchgang" is used in different contexts depending on its meaning:
- Spatial: Frequently used in relation to architecture, urban planning, or directions. Refers to a physical path (e.g., Hausdurchgang - building passage, Torbogen - archway, Passage).
- Temporal/Process: Often in sports (e.g., erster Durchgang eines Rennens - first round/heat of a race), elections (Wahlgang - ballot), production processes (ein Durchgang der Qualitätskontrolle - a run/cycle of quality control), or negotiations.
- Act of Passing: Describes the movement itself, e.g., der freie Durchgang von Waren (the free passage of goods).
Compared to Passage (often more elegant, frequently covered) or Korridor (usually inside a building), Durchgang often emphasizes the function of getting through, sometimes in a plainer or more functional way.
🧠 Mnemonics for "Durchgang"
For the article: Think of 'der Gang' (the corridor/walk). A 'Durchgang' (passage) is a type of 'Gang', so it stays masculine: der.
For the meaning: Imagine going 'durch' (through) a 'Gang' (corridor/passageway). That's the literal meaning (spatial). For the temporal meaning, picture a runner going 'through' the first lap (the first 'Gang'/Durchgang) of a race.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Durchgang
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Spatial: die Passage (passage), der Korridor (corridor), der Gang (hallway, passage), die Gasse (alley), der Durchlass (passageway, culvert)
- Temporal/Process: die Runde (round), die Etappe (stage), die Phase (phase), der Lauf (heat, run), der Wahlgang (ballot)
- Act of Passing: die Durchfahrt (passage, transit - esp. for vehicles), das Passieren (passing)
Watch out for similar words:
😄 A Little Joke
Warum beschweren sich Gespenster nie über enge Durchgänge?
Weil sie einfach durch die Wand gehen! 👻
(Why do ghosts never complain about narrow passages?<br/>Because they just go through the wall!)
📜 Poem about the Durchgang
Ein schmaler Spalt, ein offner Weg,
der Durchgang ruft, komm, sei nicht träg.
Mal ist er hell, mal dunkel sehr,
führt uns hindurch, mal hin, mal her.
Im Spiel des Lebens, mancher Lauf,
ein neuer Durchgang tut sich auf.
Von Start bis Ziel, in mancher Rund',
gibt er uns neuen Mut und Stund'.
(A narrow gap, an open way,<br/>the passage calls, come, don't delay.<br/>Sometimes it's bright, sometimes dark deep,<br/>leads us through, secrets to keep.)
(In life's game, many a course,<br/>a new round/passage opens its force.<br/>From start to finish, in many a run,<br/>it gives us new courage and time begun.)
❓ Riddle
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch man geht durch mich.
Ich habe keine Beine, doch führe dich.
Mal bin ich breit, mal bin ich schmal,
mal eine Runde in der Zahl.
Was bin ich?(... Der Durchgang)
(I have no mouth, but people pass through me.<br/>I have no legs, yet I guide thee.<br/>Sometimes I'm wide, sometimes I'm narrow,<br/>Sometimes a round, like shooting an arrow.)
(What am I?<br/>... The passage / The round / der Durchgang)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Durchgang" is a compound noun, composed of:
- durch (preposition/adverb, here as a prefix): Indicates movement through something.
- der Gang (noun): Means 'walk', 'gait', or a 'passage/corridor'.
Together, they form the meaning of a way or process that leads <i>through</i> something.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Durchgang?
The word "Durchgang" is always masculine: der Durchgang. It describes a physical way to pass through, a phase in a process or competition, or the act of passing itself.