German word

Engpass

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɛŋpas/

Meaning

  • masculine nounshortage

Example

Nach dem Sturm gab es Engpässe bei der Stromversorgung.

After the storm, there were power supply shortages.

Illustration for Engpass (shortage)

More examples

Wegen fehlender Teile kam es zu einem Engpass bei der Produktion.

Due to a lack of parts, there was a bottleneck in production.

Core concept

A constricted section that limits the movement of people, goods, energy, or work through a larger system.

Common phrases

  • Engpass in der Versorgung

    supply bottleneck

  • Engpass bei der Produktion

    production bottleneck

  • Engpass an Material

    material bottleneck

Similar words

Lieferengpass: A temporary disruption in supply that prevents needed goods from arriving.
Knappheit: A condition in which available goods or resources fall below what is needed.
Mangel: A lack of something necessary or an essential element.
Flaschenhals: A constricted point or process stage that slows an overall flow.

Definition in German

Eine Stelle oder Zeit, in der Menge oder Kapazität nicht ausreicht und deshalb Versorgung oder Ablauf eingeschränkt wird.

Word origin

The compound Engpass joins "eng" for narrow and "Pass" for pass, extending the idea of a narrow passage to any limiting shortage or capacity constraint.

Usage tips

  • German uses Engpass for constraints in a process as well as shortages of products, so it can refer to limited staff, time, space, or equipment.

Other meanings

  • bottlenecknoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Engpassbeseitigungbottleneck eliminationnoun
  • Engpassmanagementbottleneck managementnoun
  • engpassbedingtbottleneck-relatedadjective

Word lists with this word