durch
through
Describes movement from one side of an object or space to the other.
EXAMPLE
Wir sind mit dem Fahrrad durch den Tunnel gefahren.
We rode our bikes through the tunnel.
durch
through / by
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Meanings
durch
through / by
Indicates the cause, means, or mediation by which something happens.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe durch einen Freund von der Stelle erfahren.
I found out about the job through a friend.
durch
through
Indicates that something continues for an entire period of time; throughout.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die ganze Nacht durch gearbeitet.
He worked through the whole night.
durch
by
Used in passive sentences to name the agent or cause of an action, often with impersonal forces.
EXAMPLE
Das Dach wurde durch den Sturm beschädigt.
The roof was damaged by the storm.
durch sein
to be done
Colloquial for being finished or done with something.
EXAMPLE
Für heute bin ich mit der Arbeit durch.
I’m done with work for today.
Usage tips
Fixed case
The preposition 'durch' always requires the accusative. No matter which meaning it is used in, the following noun or pronoun is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Er schaut durch das Fenster.
He looks through the window.
Context clue
You can often recognize the spatial and causal meanings from the noun. If 'durch' refers to a place (e.g., city, door), it is about movement. If it refers to an abstract concept (e.g., chance, work), it is about the cause or means.
EXAMPLE
Sie liefen durch den Wald.
They ran through the forest.
As a separable prefix
'Durch' can also be a separable prefix. In verbs like 'durchlesen' (to read through) or 'durcharbeiten' (to work through), it often means carrying out an action completely from beginning to end.
EXAMPLE
Bitte lies den Vertrag sorgfältig durch.
Please read the contract through carefully.
Use in the passive
In passive sentences, 'durch' is used to name the cause or means of an action. It often refers to impersonal forces, events, or intermediaries.
EXAMPLE
Viele Häuser wurden durch das Erdbeben zerstört.
Many houses were destroyed by the earthquake.
Colloquial expression
The expression 'mit etwas durch sein' is colloquial and means 'to be finished with something'. The person who is finished appears at the beginning of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin für heute mit meinen Aufgaben durch.
I’m done with my tasks for today.
Compare with
durch vs von
from / of
In the passive voice, von usually names the person or thing performing the action. Durch, on the other hand, highlights the cause, means, or intermediary, often an impersonal force. Durch can also be used for an agent when its effect or role in bringing about the action is the focus.
durch
Das Fenster wurde durch den starken Wind geöffnet.
The window was opened by the strong wind.
von
Das Fenster wurde von einem Handwerker geöffnet.
The window was opened by a tradesperson.
In real life
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