trench / ditch
der Graben, die Gräben
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ditch
An elongated, usually narrow depression in the ground dug by people, for example for drainage or as a boundary.
Nach dem starken Regen stand das Wasser im Graben neben der Straße.
After the heavy rain, water was standing in the ditch beside the road.
trench
A depression in the ground used by soldiers for protection and as a position from which to fight.
Die Soldaten verbrachten die Nacht im Graben.
The soldiers spent the night in the trench.
moat
A deep ditch, usually filled with water, intended to protect a castle or fortress.
Die mittelalterliche Burg war von einem breiten Graben umgeben.
The medieval castle was surrounded by a wide moat.
graben / rift
In geology, an elongated depression in the Earth's crust that has subsided.
Der Oberrheingraben ist ein geologischer Graben zwischen Gebirgen.
The Upper Rhine Graben is a geological graben between mountain ranges.
divide
A major difference or opposition between people, groups, or political positions.
Zwischen den beiden Parteien verläuft ein tiefer Graben.
There is a deep divide between the two parties.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Gräben |
| genitive | des Grabens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Graben | die Gräben |
| accusative | den Graben | die Gräben |
| dative | dem Graben | den Gräben |
| genitive | des Grabens | der Gräben |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Grabens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Graben | – |
| accusative | das Graben | – |
| dative | dem Graben | – |
| genitive | des Grabens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Graben' (trench / ditch) belongs to the word family of the verb 'graben' (to dig). This connection helps you link the noun to the activity that creates many ditches and trenches.
Die Arbeiter graben einen Graben für die neue Wasserleitung.
The workers are digging a trench for the new water pipe.
Typical collocations are 'einen Graben ausheben' (to dig a ditch), 'einen Graben ziehen' (to dig a ditch) and 'einen Graben zuschütten' (to fill in a ditch). The first two describe creating the ditch, while the last describes filling it with soil or other material.
Nach Abschluss der Bauarbeiten wurde der Graben wieder zugeschüttet.
After the construction work was completed, the ditch was filled in again.
In a military context, 'im Graben in Deckung gehen' (to take cover in the trench) and 'einen Graben verteidigen' (to defend a trench) are typical collocations. Words such as 'Beschuss' (shelling), 'Front' (front), or 'Stellung' (position) can help you recognize this usage.
Als der Beschuss begann, gingen die Soldaten im Graben in Deckung.
When the shelling began, the soldiers took cover in the trench.
When talking about castles, you will often encounter the collocations 'ein mit Wasser gefüllter Graben' (a moat filled with water) and 'eine Brücke über den Graben' (a bridge over the moat). The word 'Zugbrücke' (drawbridge) in the same text is a particularly strong clue to this meaning.
Die Zugbrücke führte über den Graben zum Burgtor.
The drawbridge led across the moat to the castle gate.
This usage belongs to geological terminology. Words such as 'Erdkruste' (Earth's crust), 'Verwerfung' (fault), and 'tektonisch' (tectonic) in the same text show that a geological graben is meant.
Das Forschungsteam untersucht die tektonischen Bewegungen am Rand des Grabens.
The research team is studying the tectonic movements at the edge of the graben.
With this figurative meaning, the people or groups affected are often named after 'zwischen' (between) with the dative. A typical pattern is 'ein tiefer Graben zwischen … und …' (a deep divide between … and …).
Der Streit hat einen tiefen Graben zwischen den beiden Familien hinterlassen.
The dispute left a deep divide between the two families.
Common expressions include 'einen Graben vertiefen' (to deepen a divide), 'einen Graben überwinden' (to overcome a divide), and 'einen Graben überbrücken' (to bridge a divide). 'Vertiefen' describes a growing opposition, while 'überwinden' and 'überbrücken' fit attempts to come together again.
Die neuen Vorwürfe haben den Graben zwischen den Parteien weiter vertieft.
The new accusations have further deepened the divide between the parties.
Mit gemeinsamen Projekten wollen die Vereine den Graben zwischen ihren Mitgliedern überbrücken.
With joint projects, the clubs want to bridge the divide between their members.
