German word

kreuzen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkʁɔʏ̯tsn̩/

Meaning

  • verbintersect

Example

Zwei Straßen kreuzen sich hier.

Two streets intersect here.

Illustration for kreuzen (intersect)

More examples

Plötzlich kreuzte ein Reh meinen Weg.

Suddenly, a deer crossed my path.

Core concept

A road or moving line crosses another route, creating a visible meeting point rather than simply reaching the opposite side.

Common phrases

  • den Weg kreuzen

    cross the path

  • die Straße kreuzen

    cross the road

Similar words

überqueren: Crossing a road, river, or area to reach the opposite side.
begegnen: An unexpected encounter with a person or event.
passieren: Passing a particular place or location.
durchqueren: Travel through a place or region from one end to the other.

Definition in German

Zwei Wege oder Bewegungen treffen sich und schneiden einander; transitiv auch im Sinne von 'jemandem den Weg kreuzen' jemanden behindern.

Word origin

The verb kreuzen developed from the noun Kreuz and preserves the noun's connection with the shape of a cross, whose arms intersect.

Usage tips

  • Kreuzen often corresponds to English intersect, whereas überqueren is more usual for crossing a road, river, or other area from one side to the other.

Other meanings

  • crossverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Kreuzungintersectionnoun
  • kreuzweisecrosswiseadverb

Word lists with this word