to penetrate / get through
Loading your saved state.
to penetrate
To make a way through an obstacle, a substance, or a crowd; to pass through something. This form of the verb is inseparable.
Das Sonnenlicht durchdrang die dichten Wolken am Horizont.
The sunlight penetrated the thick clouds on the horizon.
to get through
To prevail with an opinion, plan, or demand despite resistance; to succeed. This form of the verb is separable.
Trotz der vielen Kritik ist sie mit ihrem Vorschlag schließlich durchgedrungen.
Despite all the criticism, she eventually got through with her proposal.
to grasp
To fully understand and mentally comprehend something complex or difficult. This form of the verb is inseparable.
Es dauerte eine Weile, bis er die komplexe philosophische Theorie ganz durchdrungen hatte.
It took a while before he had fully grasped the complex philosophical theory.
to come through
For sounds, light, or information: to become audible, visible, or known through a barrier. This form of the verb is separable.
Aus der Nachbarwohnung drang laute Musik durch die dünnen Wände.
Loud music came through the thin walls from the neighboring apartment.
This verb is special because it is separable or inseparable depending on the meaning. The stress shows the difference: stressed 'durch' (DURCHdringen) is separable, while stressed 'dringen' (durchDRINGEN) is inseparable.
Ihre Kritik ist bei der Chefin nicht durchgedrungen.
Her criticism did not get through to the boss.
As a separable verb, 'durch' moves to the end of the main clause. As an inseparable verb, 'durchdringen' always stays together, including in the past participle ('durchdrungen' vs. 'durchgedrungen').
Die Nachricht dringt langsam zu allen durch.
The news is slowly getting through to everyone.
The inseparable form is often used for physical processes in which something crosses a barrier. Think of light, water, an arrow, or a crowd.
Der Bohrer durchdrang mühelos die Wand.
The drill penetrated the wall effortlessly.
The separable form is often used to talk about the success of ideas, opinions, or people. It means that someone prevails despite resistance.
Er hofft, dass sein Vorschlag im Team durchdringt.
He hopes that his proposal gets through in the team.
In a figurative sense, the inseparable form describes the complete mental grasping of a complex topic. You 'dringt' (penetrate) into the subject matter with your mind.
Sie hat die schwierige Materie schnell durchdrungen.
She quickly grasped the difficult subject matter.
In this separable meaning, it is often about sensory impressions. Typical subjects are 'Lärm' (noise), 'Musik' (music), 'Geruch' (smell), or 'Licht' (light), which come through a barrier.
Der Geruch von Kaffee drang aus der Küche durch.
The smell of coffee came through from the kitchen.
to push through / to assert oneself / to permeate
Both Durchsetzen and durchdringen can express successfully getting a demand accepted despite resistance. You use a demand with Durchsetzen, but with the separable use of durchdringen, you say that someone gets through with a demand. Durchsetzen can also be used more generally with plans or ideas.
Die Vertreterin drang trotz der Einwände mit ihrer Forderung durch.
The representative got her demand through despite the objections.
Die Vertreterin setzte ihre Forderung trotz der Einwände durch.
The representative pushed her demand through despite the objections.
