01
die Brücke
bridge
A structure built to cross an obstacle such as a river, valley, or road.
example
Die neue Brücke über den Fluss verkürzt die Fahrzeit um 20 Minuten.
The new bridge over the river shortens the driving time by 20 minutes.
die Brücke
bridge
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical prepositions
With a real bridge, the preposition is important. You drive or walk 'über die Brücke' (across the bridge; direction, accusative). Something is located 'unter der Brücke' (under the bridge; location, dative).
EXAMPLE
Wir sind mit dem Fahrrad über die alte Holzbrücke gefahren.
We rode our bikes across the old wooden bridge.
Metaphorical expression
In the figurative meaning, the expressions 'eine Brücke bauen' (to build a bridge) or 'eine Brücke schlagen' (to bridge a gap / establish a connection) are often used. This means creating a connection between two opposing positions, groups, or ideas.
EXAMPLE
Der Diplomat versuchte, eine Brücke zwischen den beiden verfeindeten Ländern zu bauen.
The diplomat tried to build a bridge between the two hostile countries.
The bridge day
When a single workday falls between a public holiday and the weekend, it is called 'der Brückentag' (bridge day). The act of taking that day off is colloquially called 'eine Brücke machen' or 'eine Brücke nehmen' (to take a bridge day).
EXAMPLE
Weil der 1. Mai ein Dienstag ist, nehme ich mir am Montag einen Brückentag.
Because May 1 is a Tuesday, I'm taking Monday as a bridge day.
Context clue: dentistry
In a dental context, you can recognize this meaning from words like 'Zahnarzt' (dentist), 'Zahnlücke' (gap between teeth), 'einsetzen' (to insert/fit), or 'bekommen' (to get). Here, a 'Brücke' (bridge) is a fixed dental prosthesis.
EXAMPLE
Der Zahnarzt hat mir empfohlen, die Lücke mit einer Brücke zu schließen.
The dentist recommended closing the gap with a dental bridge.
Fixed expression in sports
The gymnastics exercise is almost always used in the fixed expression 'eine Brücke machen' (to do a bridge). The verb describes performing the exercise.
EXAMPLE
Im Sportunterricht üben die Kinder, eine Brücke zu machen.
In PE class, the children practice doing a bridge.
Context clues
The many meanings of 'Brücke' (bridge) are usually clear from context. Watch for signal words: 'Fluss' (river) or 'Straße' (road) for the structure, 'Kulturen' (cultures) for the metaphor, 'Kapitän' (captain) for a ship, 'Zahnarzt' (dentist) for teeth, or 'Turnen' (gymnastics) for the exercise.
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitän stand auf der Brücke und blickte auf das Meer.
The captain stood on the bridge and looked out at the sea.
Compare with
Brücke vs Verbindung
connection / association
'die Verbindung' and 'die Brücke' can both express that two sides, groups, or ideas come together. 'Verbindung' is the more general word here. It often means a contact, a relationship, or a connection. 'Brücke' is used more figuratively in this meaning: something helps overcome a distance or difference. When speaking neutrally about a contact, 'Verbindung' fits better. When you want to emphasize that something mediates between two separate sides, 'Brücke' sounds more natural.
Brücke
Musik kann eine Brücke zwischen Menschen aus verschiedenen Ländern sein.
Music can be a bridge between people from different countries.
Verbindung
Durch ihren alten Kollegen hat Anna eine gute Verbindung zu der Firma.
Through her former colleague, Anna has a good connection to the company.
In real life
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