passable / drivable
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passable / drivable
Describes a path, road, or surface that is in such a condition that one can drive on it with a vehicle.
Nach dem Schneesturm war die Passstraße erst am nächsten Tag wieder befahrbar.
After the snowstorm, the mountain pass road was not passable again until the next day.
The word is built very logically: it consists of the verb 'fahren' (to drive), the prefix 'be-' (to do something on a surface), and the ending '-bar' (possibility). 'Befahrbar' therefore literally means 'one can drive on it'.
Der Feldweg ist nur mit einem Geländewagen befahrbar.
The dirt road is only passable with an off-road vehicle.
This adjective typically describes traffic routes. Common nouns are 'Straße' (road), 'Weg' (path), 'Brücke' (bridge), and 'Pass' (mountain pass).
Die alte Holzbrücke ist für schwere Lastwagen nicht mehr befahrbar.
The old wooden bridge is no longer passable for heavy trucks.
The word is very often used in its negative form to describe a problem. 'Nicht befahrbar' (not passable / not drivable) is a common piece of information in traffic reports, often because of snow, flooding, or construction work.
Wegen eines Unfalls ist die Autobahn zurzeit nicht befahrbar.
Because of an accident, the highway is currently not passable.
accessible
'zugänglich' and 'befahrbar' can both describe that a place or route can be used. 'zugänglich' is more general and only says that a place can be reached or entered. That can be on foot, by bicycle, or in another way. 'befahrbar' is more specific: it means that you can drive on a path, road, or surface with a vehicle. The words can be confused because both occur with routes and places. If it is about people on foot, 'zugänglich' fits. If a car, bus, or other vehicle is explicitly meant, 'befahrbar' is a better fit.
Nach dem starken Regen ist die Straße wieder befahrbar.
After the heavy rain, the road is passable again.
Der Innenhof ist tagsüber für alle Bewohner zugänglich.
The courtyard is accessible to all residents during the day.