German word

Grenze

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgʁɛnt͡sə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounborder

Example

Wir haben die Grenze schnell überquert.

We crossed the border quickly.

Illustration for Grenze (border)

More examples

Auf der anderen Seite der Grenze spricht man oft eine andere Sprache.

On the other side of the border, people often speak a different language.

Core concept

A dividing line that can separate countries in space or mark the outer limit of what is possible.

Common phrases

  • auf der anderen Seite der Grenze

    on the other side of the border

  • an der Grenze warten

    wait at the border

  • die Grenze überschreiten

    cross the border

Similar words

Grenzübergang: A place at a national border where passage and entry procedures take place.
Grenzgebiet: An area near the boundary between neighboring countries or regions.
Staatsgrenze: A recognized national boundary defining the extent of a state's territory.

Definition in German

Räumliche Trennung zwischen Gebieten, an der Zugehörigkeit, Kontrolle oder Regeln wechseln.

Word origin

German borrowed Grenze in the Middle High German period from a Slavic border term.

Usage tips

  • In figurative German, eine Grenze überschreiten means to overstep a limit as well as to cross a physical border.

Other meanings

  • boundarynoun
  • limitnoun

Related words

  • Grenzübertrittborder crossingnoun
  • grenzwertigborderlineadjective

Word lists with this word