die  Spannweite

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɪ ˈʃpanˌvaɪ̯tə/

📏 What does "die Spannweite" mean?

Die Spannweite (noun, feminine) generally describes the distance, extent, or range between two points or values. It has several specific meanings depending on the context:

• Technik & Architektur (Engineering & Architecture): The distance between two support points of a bridge, beam, or arch. Example: Die Brücke hat eine beeindruckende Spannweite. (The bridge has an impressive span.)
• Statistik (Statistics): The difference between the highest and lowest value in a data set. Example: Die Spannweite der Testergebnisse lag bei 45 Punkten. (The range of the test results was 45 points.)
• Biologie (Zoologie) (Biology/Zoology): The distance between the wingtips of a bird or insect with wings spread. Example: Der Albatros hat eine enorme Flügelspannweite. (The albatross has an enormous wingspan.)
• Übertragen (Figurative): The scope or range of something abstract, e.g., opinions, possibilities, or topics. Example: Die Spannweite der diskutierten Themen war sehr groß. (The range of topics discussed was very wide.)

⚠️ The only article for *Spannweite* is die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: die Spannweite

*Spannweite* is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Die Spannweite dieser Brücke beträgt 200 Meter. (The span of this bridge is 200 meters. - Nominative Singular)
2. Die Berechnung der Spannweite war komplex. (The calculation of the span was complex. - Genitive Singular)
3. Wir widmeten uns der Spannweite der Daten. (We focused on the range of the data. - Dative Singular)
4. Der Ingenieur prüft die Spannweite des Trägers. (The engineer checks the span of the beam. - Accusative Singular)
5. Die verschiedenen Spannweiten der Flügel beeinflussen den Flug. (The different wingspans influence the flight. - Nominative Plural)
6. Die Messung der Spannweiten dauerte lange. (The measurement of the spans took a long time. - Genitive Plural)
7. Bei großen Spannweiten ist die Statik entscheidend. (With large spans, statics are crucial. - Dative Plural)
8. Man verglich die Spannweiten der Angebote. (They compared the ranges of the offers. - Accusative Plural)

🛠️ How "die Spannweite" is Used

The term *Spannweite* is relatively specific and is mainly used in technical, mathematical/statistical, or figurative contexts to describe a range or extent.

• Technischer Kontext (Technical Context): Very common in architecture, civil engineering (bridges, roofs, beams).
• Statistischer Kontext (Statistical Context): A basic measure of dispersion to describe data.
• Biologischer Kontext (Biological Context): Especially for birds and insects to describe wing size (*Flügelspannweite*).
• Übertragener Kontext (Figurative Context): Used to describe the scope or breadth of something abstract (e.g., opinions, prices, emotions). Example: Die emotionale Spannweite des Films reicht von tiefster Trauer bis zu überschwänglicher Freude. (The emotional range of the movie extends from deepest sorrow to exuberant joy.)

In everyday language, especially in the figurative sense, words like *Bereich* (area, range), *Umfang* (scope, extent), or *Bandbreite* (bandwidth, range) are often used instead of *Spannweite*.

🧠 Mnemonics for Spannweite

Article Mnemonic: Think of "die Weite" (the width/expanse). Something extending far has a *weite* expanse – *die* Spannweite is feminine. Many nouns ending in '-e' are feminine, and *Weite* fits this pattern.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you span (like *spannen*) your arms as wide (like *Weite*) as possible. The distance between your fingertips is your personal *Spannweite* (span). The word combines the action (*spannen* - to span/stretch) and the result (*Weite* - width/range).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Misleading Words:

• Spannung: Refers to electrical voltage or psychological tension/suspense, not spatial extent.
• Weite: General term for width or openness, not specifically the distance between two defined points.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Statistiker seinen Kollegen: "Was ist die emotionale Spannweite deines Montagmorgens?"
Antwortet der: "Zwischen 'Kaffee sofort!' und 'Ist schon Freitag?'"

(The statistician asks his colleague: "What's the emotional range of your Monday morning?"
He replies: "Between 'Coffee immediately!' and 'Is it Friday yet?'")

✒️ Poem about Spannweite

Von Stütze zu Stütze, ein Bogen so kühn,
die Spannweite zeigt, was Technik kann blühn.
Vom kleinsten zum größten, der Zahlen Lauf,
die Spannweite misst den Unterschied auf.
Des Adlers Flügel, im Himmel so breit,
zeigt stolz seine Spannweite, durch Raum und Zeit.

(From support to support, an arch so bold,
the span shows what technology can unfold.
From smallest to largest, the numbers' run,
the range measures the difference, 'til day is done.
The eagle's wings, in the sky so wide,
proudly show its wingspan, through space and tide.)

❓ Riddle

Ich messe den Abstand, ganz klar und exakt,
bei Brücken, bei Flügeln, im statistischen Takt.
Vom höchsten zum tiefsten Wert reiche ich hin.
Sag, welcher Begriff bin ich wohl im Wortsinn?

(I measure the distance, clear and exact,
For bridges, for wings, in statistical tact.
From the highest to lowest value, I extend.
Tell me, which term am I, my friend?)

ℹ️ Trivia / Word Composition

Wortzusammensetzung (Word Composition):

The word *Spannweite* is a compound noun, composed of:

• spannen: The verb meaning to stretch, span, tighten, or fasten between two points.
• Weite: The noun meaning width, expanse, breadth, or a large distance.

Together, the meaning is formed: the width or expanse created by something spanned (like an arch or bridge) or between two endpoints (like data points or wingtips).