die  Entfernung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈfɛʁnʊŋ/

🌍 What does "die Entfernung" mean?

The noun die Entfernung (feminine) primarily has two meanings:

1. Spatial or temporal distance: This is the most common meaning. It describes the space or time span between two points, places, or moments in time.

   • Spatial example: Die Entfernung zwischen Berlin und München beträgt etwa 600 Kilometer. (The distance between Berlin and Munich is about 600 kilometers.)
   • Temporal example: Die Entfernung zwischen den beiden Ereignissen war nur gering. (The distance [in time] between the two events was only small.)

2. The removal or taking away: This meaning is derived from the verb "entfernen" (to remove). It describes the act of getting rid of or eliminating something.

   • Example: Die Entfernung des Flecks war schwierig. (The removal of the stain was difficult.)
   • Example: Die chirurgische Entfernung des Tumors verlief erfolgreich. (The surgical removal of the tumor was successful.)

🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: die Entfernung

Die Entfernung is a feminine noun. The plural is die Entfernungen.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Simple Example Sentences

• Die große Entfernung machte die Reise anstrengend. (The long distance made the journey tiring.)
• Trotz der Entfernung blieben sie Freunde. (Despite the distance, they remained friends.)
• Mit der Entfernung des Hindernisses war der Weg frei. (With the removal of the obstacle, the way was clear.)
• Wir unterschätzten die Entfernung. (We underestimated the distance.)
• Die Entfernungen zwischen den Sternen sind riesig. (The distances between the stars are huge.)
• Die Messung der Entfernungen ist komplex. (The measurement of the distances is complex.)
• Wir nähern uns den kritischen Entfernungen. (We are approaching the critical distances.)
• Er berechnete die verschiedenen Entfernungen. (He calculated the various distances.)

🗣️ How to use "Entfernung"?

The usage of die Entfernung depends on the intended meaning:

• Measuring/describing distance: You talk about die Entfernung zwischen A und B (the distance between A and B), die Entfernung zu einem Ort (the distance to a place), eine große/kurze/geringe Entfernung (a long/short/small distance). Often used in contexts like geography, astronomy, sports (e.g., Weitsprung - long jump), or figuratively (emotionale Entfernung - emotional distance).
• Act of removing: You talk about die Entfernung von Schmutz (the removal of dirt), die Entfernung eines Organs (the removal of an organ - medical context), die Entfernung eines Mitarbeiters (rare, usually "Entlassung" - dismissal). This usage is more specific and often technical or formal.

Risk of confusion?

• Abstand: Similar to Entfernung (spatial/temporal), but often used for shorter distances or more abstract differences (e.g., Meinungsabstand - difference of opinion).
• Distanz: Very similar to Entfernung (spatial/temporal), often used synonymously. Can also mean emotional distance.
• Beseitigung: Synonym for the second meaning of Entfernung (act of removing).

In everyday language, the meaning "distance" is far more common.

🧠 How to remember "die Entfernung"

1. Article Aid (die): Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine. Think of: die Übung (the exercise), die Meinung (the opinion), die Lösung (the solution)... and also die Entfernung. The ending -ung strongly suggests the article die.

2. Meaning Aid (Distance/Removal): Imagine something is far away, like the opposite of entering: 'Ent-ering' a far zone (fern means far). That's the Entfernung (distance). Or, imagine you have to remove something unwanted, making it 'ent-er' a bin far away – that's the Entfernung (removal).

Mnemonic phrase: "For things ending in -ung, 'die' is often sung! Whether far away or removing clutter, Entfernung is the word to utter."

↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: Entfernung

⚠️ Be careful: words like Ferne (the state of being far away) are related but not always direct synonyms for Entfernung (the measure of distance or the act of removing).

😂 A Little Joke

Richter: "Wie groß war die Entfernung zwischen Ihnen und dem Opfer?"
Angeklagter: "Ungefähr 1,80 Meter, Herr Richter. Genau meine Armlänge plus Messer."

Judge: "What was the distance between you and the victim?"
Defendant: "About 1.80 meters, Your Honor. Exactly my arm's length plus knife."

(Please don't try this at home!) 😉

📜 Poem about Entfernung

Die Entfernung, still und weit,
Misst Raum und auch die Zeit.
Mal trennt sie, was zusammen schien,
Mal lässt sie Neues erst erblüh'n.

Als Maß der Leere, kalt und klar,
Macht sie das Nahe wunderbar.
Doch auch als Tat, die Unerwünschtes nimmt,
Ist sie's, die Ordnung neu bestimmt.

The distance, silent and wide,
Measures space and also time's tide.
Sometimes it parts what once seemed near,
Sometimes lets new things bloom and appear.

As measure of emptiness, cold and clear,
It makes what's close wonderfully dear.
But also as deed, removing blight,
It's what sets order anew and right.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich messe, wie weit Dinge sind,
Ob nah bei dir, ob fern im Wind.
Ich kann auch schaffen, dass etwas geht,
Wenn es im Weg dir steht.

Manchmal bin ich groß, manchmal klein,
Kann physisch oder seelisch sein.
Mein Artikel ist 'die', das ist bekannt,
Wie werd' ich wohl genannt?

I measure how far things may be,
Whether close to you, or wild and free.
I can also make something disappear,
If it's in your way, causing fear.

Sometimes I'm large, sometimes small,
Can be physical or mental, standing tall.
My article is 'die', that much is true,
What am I called? I ask of you.

Solution: die Entfernung

🧩 Additional Information

Word Formation:

Entfernung is a Nomen Actionis (a noun describing an action) or Nomen Acti (a noun describing the result of an action), derived from the verb entfernen (to remove).

• ent-: Prefix, often meaning 'away from', 'out of' (as in entdecken - to discover, entladen - to unload).
• fern: Adjective/adverb meaning 'far'.
• -ung: Suffix used to form feminine nouns from verbs, often indicating a process or its result.

Related Words:

• entfernen (verb): to remove, to eliminate; to move away.
• entfernt (adjective/participle): distant, remote; removed.
• Ferne (noun): the state of being far away, distance.