German word

abgrenzen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈapˌgʁɛnt͡sən/

Meaning

  • verbset boundaries for ___

Example

Die Stadt grenzt das neue Gebiet ab.

The city is setting boundaries for the new area.

Illustration for abgrenzen (set boundaries for ___)

More examples

In Podiumsdiskussionen sollte man Privates und Sachliches klar abgrenzen.

In panel discussions, one should clearly distinguish between personal and factual matters.

Core concept

A person or area draws a clear line away from something else, creating distance and a boundary.

Common phrases

  • ein Thema präzise abgrenzen

    precisely delimit a topic

  • die Grenze zwischen Privat- und Berufsleben abgrenzen

    delineate the boundary between private and professional life

Similar words

ausgrenzen: To reject a person or group and keep them outside the group.
begrenzen: To keep the extent or amount of something within set limits.
einschränken: To narrow the available freedom, range, or possible choices.
trennen: To keep two or more things apart from each other.

Definition in German

Sich oder etwas gegenüber anderem abgrenzen, also Abstand schaffen und klar begrenzen.

Word origin

The verb combines separable ab- with grenzen, so its form conveys moving away while marking a boundary.

Usage tips

  • In the example, grenzt is the finite verb and ab moves to the end; the infinitive is abgrenzen.

Other meanings

  • separateverb
  • distance oneself from ___verb

Opposites

Related words

  • Abgrenzungdemarcationnoun
  • abgegrenztdelineatedadjective

Word lists with this word