01
die Bohrung
drilling
The process of drilling, that is, making a hole in a solid material with a drill.
example
Die Bohrung in die Betonwand war sehr laut und staubig.
The drilling into the concrete wall was very loud and dusty.
die Bohrung
drilling / borehole
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The noun 'die Bohrung' (drilling/borehole) is derived from the verb 'bohren' (to drill) with the ending '-ung.' Like many -ung nouns, it can refer both to the process of the action (drilling) and to the result of the action (the hole).
EXAMPLE
Die Bohrung eines tiefen Lochs erfordert spezielles Werkzeug.
Drilling a deep hole requires special tools.
Context clue
The context tells you whether the process or the result is meant. If it is about duration or difficulty, the process is meant. If it is about size, depth, or position, the resulting hole is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Bohrung hat nur wenige Sekunden gedauert.
The drilling took only a few seconds.
Typical combinations
In the meaning of 'searching for raw materials,' 'Bohrung' (drilling) is almost always used with the preposition 'nach' and the raw material being sought. Typical combinations are 'die Bohrung nach Öl' (drilling for oil), 'die Bohrung nach Erdgas' (drilling for natural gas), or 'die Bohrung nach Wasser' (drilling for water).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma plant eine neue Bohrung nach Erdgas in der Nordsee.
The company is planning a new drilling operation for natural gas in the North Sea.
Compare with
Bohrung vs Seele
soul
'die Seele' and 'die Bohrung' can both refer to an inner space in an object. However, this applies only in a special technical use of 'Seele', for example for the inside of a gun barrel or in certain instruments. 'Bohrung' is much more general and refers to a hole that was created by drilling. Learners may confuse the words when talking about round openings or inner channels. In everyday use, 'Bohrung' is almost always more natural for this; 'Seele' sounds very technical here and occurs only with certain objects.
Bohrung
Die Bohrung in der Wand ist zu klein für den Dübel.
The hole in the wall is too small for the wall plug.
Seele
Der Fachmann prüft die Seele des alten Gewehrlaufs mit einer kleinen Lampe.
The specialist checks the bore of the old gun barrel with a small lamp.
In real life
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