German word

einschränken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯nˌʃʁɛŋkən/

Meaning

  • verbrestrict

Example

Er schränkte seine Freiheit ein.

He restricted his freedom.

Illustration for einschränken (restrict)

More examples

Im Laden musste sie die Auswahl einschränken.

In the store, she had to restrict the selection.

Core concept

A gate closes inward, leaving less room for movement, choice, or access.

Common phrases

  • die Auswahl einschränken

    restrict the selection

  • sich einschränken

    restrict oneself

Similar words

beschränken: To keep a range or amount within a set limit.
begrenzen: To impose a clear upper limit or boundary on an amount or space.
einengen: To make space or choices narrower, leaving less room to maneuver.
beschneiden: To cut back part of a right or authority, reducing its effect.

Definition in German

durch Regeln oder Maßnahmen die Möglichkeiten, Rechte oder Menge einschränken

Word origin

Einschränken combines the separable prefix ein- with schränken, whose older sense involved fencing something in with a Schranke, or barrier.

Usage tips

  • Einschränken is a separable verb, so the present-tense form is "Er schränkt seine Freiheit ein" and the infinitive remains together after a modal verb.

Other meanings

  • limitverb
  • narrowverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word