breit
wide
Having a large distance from one side to the other; the opposite of narrow.
EXAMPLE
Die Straße ist an dieser Stelle besonders breit.
The street is especially wide at this point.
breit
wide / broad
breit – breiter – am breitesten
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Meanings
breit
broad
Extending across a large area or covering many topics, groups, or possibilities.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung bietet einen breiten Überblick über die moderne Kunst.
The exhibition offers a broad overview of modern art.
breit sein
to be wasted
Colloquial: to be drunk or high on drugs.
EXAMPLE
Nach zwei Cocktails war er schon ziemlich breit.
After two cocktails, he was already pretty wasted.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry breit, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | breit |
|---|---|
| comparative | breiter |
| superlative | am breitesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to breit.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to breit.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to breit.
Usage tips
Giving measurements
When stating precise measurements, the measurement comes directly before „breit“ (wide). You ask about the width with „wie breit“ (how wide).
EXAMPLE
Der Schreibtisch ist nur achtzig Zentimeter breit.
The desk is only eighty centimeters wide.
Wie breit muss die Einfahrt für einen Lastwagen sein?
How wide does the driveway need to be for a truck?
Typical collocations
For descriptions of people's bodies, „breite Schultern“ (broad shoulders), „ein breiter Rücken“ (a broad back), and „breite Hüften“ (wide hips) are typical collocations. You can use these phrases to describe a person's body shape.
EXAMPLE
Wegen seiner breiten Schultern passt ihm die Jacke nicht.
Because of his broad shoulders, the jacket doesn't fit him.
Social support
In news reports and political texts, the collocations „breite Zustimmung“ (broad approval), „breite Unterstützung“ (broad support), and „eine breite Mehrheit“ (a broad majority) are common. Here, „breit“ (broad) emphasizes that many people or different groups are involved.
EXAMPLE
Der Vorschlag fand breite Unterstützung in der Bevölkerung.
The proposal received broad support from the public.
Fixed collocations
The collocations „breit gefächert“ (wide-ranging) for offerings or interests and „breit angelegt“ (broad-based) for studies or projects are common. Here, „breit“ (broad) describes the large scope or variety.
EXAMPLE
Das Kursangebot der Volkshochschule ist breit gefächert.
The adult education center's range of courses is wide-ranging.
Typical intensifiers
In this usage, „breit“ (wasted) is often combined with „ziemlich“ (pretty), „total“ (totally), or „völlig“ (completely). It is usually used with „sein“ (to be) or „werden“ (to become) and refers to a person.
EXAMPLE
Als wir auf der Party ankamen, waren einige Gäste schon völlig breit.
When we arrived at the party, some of the guests were already completely wasted.
In real life
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