German Conversation · Level 57
73 words
German word
Schwelle
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʃvɛlə/
Meaning
- feminine nounthreshold
Example
Wir treten über die Schwelle ins Haus.
We step over the threshold into the house.
More examples
Der Ton blieb unterhalb der Schwelle menschlicher Wahrnehmung.
The sound remained below the threshold of human perception.
Core concept
A narrow raised strip under a doorway marks the boundary between outside and inside and must be crossed to enter.
Common phrases
die Schwelle der Wahrnehmung
the threshold of perception
unterhalb der Schwelle
below the threshold
Similar words
Hemmschwelle: A feeling of inhibition that holds back new actions or statements.
Stufe: A single flat step in a staircase or other stepped structure.
Türschwelle: A narrow sill forming the lower edge of a doorway.
Definition in German
ein schmaler, oft leicht erhöhter Streifen am Boden einer Türöffnung, der Innen- und Außenraum trennt
Word origin
Schwelle comes from Old High German swella and is related to schwellen, meaning to swell or rise, referring to a raised strip.
Usage tips
- Schwelle is feminine, with the plural Schwellen, and the phrase an der Schwelle zu also marks the beginning of an abstract stage or change.
Other meanings
- boundarynoun
Related words
- Schwellenwertthreshold valuenoun