German word

durchdringen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌdʊʁçˈdʁɪŋən/

Meaning

  • verbpermeate

Example

Das Licht durchdringt den Nebel.

The light permeates the fog.

Illustration for durchdringen (permeate)

More examples

Die Idee durchdringt bald die öffentliche Debatte.

The idea will soon permeate public debate.

Core concept

A beam of light enters fog and spreads through its thickness until the whole cloud is affected.

Common phrases

  • durchdringen die Öffentlichkeit

    permeate the public sphere

  • durchdringen das Gedächtnis

    permeate memory

  • durchdringen den Markt

    permeate the market

Similar words

eindringen: To get inside from outside and extend far into something.
dringen: To push inward through openings or barriers by force.

Definition in German

durchdringen bedeutet, dass etwas von außen nach innen vordringt und dabei ganz oder in großer Tiefe das Andere durchsetzt.

Word origin

Durchdringen combines the inherited Germanic elements durch, meaning through, and dringen, meaning to force one's way in.

Usage tips

  • As a strong verb, durchdringen has the past forms durchdrang and hat durchdrungen, not regular forms based on durchdringte.

Other meanings

  • pierceverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Durchdringungpermeationnoun
  • durchdrungenpermeatedadjective

Word lists with this word