die  Kreuzung

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʁɔʏ̯tsʊŋ/

🚦 What exactly is a 'Kreuzung'?

The word die Kreuzung (feminine) has several meanings, all revolving around the concept of 'crossing' or 'intersecting':

• In traffic: The most common use. A Kreuzung is a place where two or more roads intersect or cross. Different directions of travel meet here. 🚗
  Example: An der nächsten Kreuzung müssen wir links abbiegen. (At the next intersection, we have to turn left.)
• In biology/breeding: Here, Kreuzung refers to the process or result of crossing different breeds, species, or varieties (animals or plants) to combine new characteristics. 🧬🐑
  Example: Diese Hunderasse ist eine Kreuzung aus einem Pudel und einem Labrador. (This dog breed is a cross between a poodle and a Labrador.)
• Figuratively: Sometimes used metaphorically to describe an intersection or mixing of paths, ideas, or concepts.
  Example: An dieser Kreuzung der Kulturen entstand etwas Neues. (Something new emerged at this crossroads of cultures.)

🚨 Since the word ends in -ung, it's typically feminine (die).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar: 'Die Kreuzung' in Detail

As a feminine noun, die Kreuzung uses the following declension:

Example Sentences 💡

1. Im Verkehr: Der Unfall ereignete sich direkt auf der Kreuzung.
   (The accident happened right at the intersection.)
2. Im Verkehr: An vielen Kreuzungen regeln Ampeln den Verkehr.
   (Traffic lights regulate traffic at many intersections.)
3. In der Biologie: Die Kreuzung dieser beiden Rosenarten ergab eine neue Farbe.
   (The crossbreeding of these two rose varieties resulted in a new color.)
4. In der Biologie: Durch gezielte Kreuzungen versucht man, robuste Pflanzensorten zu züchten.
   (Through targeted crossbreeding, attempts are made to cultivate robust plant varieties.)

🗺️ When to Use 'die Kreuzung'?

The use of die Kreuzung depends heavily on the context:

• Traffic: Very common in everyday life, when driving, cycling, or walking. Often used in directions ("an der Kreuzung rechts" - "right at the intersection"). Synonyms like Straßenkreuzung (road intersection) or Abzweigung (turn-off, junction) can be used, but Kreuzung is the most general term. A Einmündung (T-junction) is technically not a Kreuzung because one road only merges into another without crossing it.
• Biology/Breeding: More in technical or specific contexts (horticulture, animal breeding, genetics). Here, Hybridisierung (hybridization) or Züchtung (breeding) are more specific but related terms.
• Figurative: Less common, mostly in literary or elevated contexts to describe intersections of paths, ideas, cultures, etc.

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse Kreuzung (intersection) with das Kreuz (the cross - symbol † or geometric shape), even though the words are related.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Kreuzung'

For the article (die): Remember the typical ending -ung. Words ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German: die Meinung (opinion), die Leitung (pipe, management), die Hoffnung (hope), die Übung (exercise)... and, of course, die Kreuzung. Imagine a busy intersection where DIE Ampel (the traffic light - also feminine!) sets the pace.

For the meaning: A Kreuzung is where paths kreuzen (cross). Picture a big 'X' (a Kreuz) on the road – that's the Kreuzung. Or for animals/plants: two different lines 'cross' to create something new.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words

• Das Kreuz: The cross (symbol † or geometric shape).
• Die Kreuzfahrt: A cruise (ship journey).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum stand das Huhn an der Kreuzung?

Es wollte auf die andere Straßenseite wechseln, aber die Ampel war kaputt! 🚦🐔

English: Why was the chicken standing at the intersection (Kreuzung)?

It wanted to cross to the other side, but the traffic light was broken!

📜 Poem about the 'Kreuzung'

German:
Wo Straßen sich treffen, im bunten Gewühl,
Die Kreuzung, ein Ort mit besond'rem Gefühl.
Rot, Gelb und Grün geben Zeichen und Licht,
Wer hier nicht aufpasst, der verliert die Aufsicht.

Auch Pflanzen und Tiere, man kreuzt sie geschwind,
Entsteht dann ein Neues, ein ganz and'res Kind.
Die Kreuzung verbindet, was vorher getrennt,
Ein Punkt, wo das Leben neue Wege erkennt.

English Translation:
Where streets meet, in colorful fray,
The intersection, a place with a special way.
Red, yellow, and green give signals and light,
Who doesn't pay attention here, loses their sight.

Plants and animals too, are crossed with speed,
Creating something new, a different kind of seed.
The intersection connects what was separate before,
A point where life discovers new paths to explore.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich habe Arme, doch kann nichts tragen.
Ich bringe Wege zusammen an vielen Tagen.
Manchmal mit Lichtern, manchmal nur mit Schildern bewacht,
Autos und Menschen geben auf mich acht.

Was bin ich?

English:
I have arms, but cannot carry.
I bring paths together on many a day.
Sometimes guarded by lights, sometimes just by signs,
Cars and people watch out for me.

What am I?

Solution: die Kreuzung (the intersection)

➕ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word Kreuzung is derived from the verb kreuzen (to cross) with the suffix -ung. The verb kreuzen itself comes from the noun das Kreuz (the cross).

• kreuzen: to cross, intersect
• -ung: Suffix used to form nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or result (as here).

Trivia:

• The "Magic Roundabout" in Swindon, England, is one of the most complex intersections (Kreuzungen) in the world, consisting of five mini-roundabouts around a central roundabout.
• In genetics, one speaks of monohybrid or dihybrid crosses (Kreuzungen), depending on how many traits are considered in the cross.