to drive through / pass through
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to drive through
To cross an area, route, or place from one end to the other, usually without stopping. This verb is inseparable, for example 'er durchfährt die Stadt' (he drives through the city).
Auf dem Weg nach Italien haben wir die ganze Schweiz durchfahren.
On the way to Italy, we drove through all of Switzerland.
to run through
Used of a feeling, thought, or pain that suddenly and intensely goes through a person's body or mind. This verb is inseparable, for example 'ein Schreck durchfährt sie' (a fright runs through her).
Ein eiskalter Schauer durchfuhr ihn, als er das Geräusch hörte.
An ice-cold shiver ran through him when he heard the noise.
to pass through
Not to stop at a particular point, such as a barrier, checkpoint, or stop, but to continue the journey. This verb is separable, for example 'der Zug fährt durch' (the train passes through).
Der ICE ist ein Expresszug, der an vielen kleinen Bahnhöfen einfach durchfährt.
The ICE is an express train that simply passes through many small stations.
This verb is separable or inseparable depending on the meaning. Inseparable, as in 'er durchfährt' (he drives through), it means 'to cross something'. Separable, as in 'er fährt durch' (he passes through / keeps going), it means 'not to stop'.
Der LKW durchfährt die schmale Gasse. (untrennbar)
The truck drives through the narrow alley. (inseparable)
The auxiliary verb in the perfect tense depends on separability. The inseparable form forms the perfect with 'haben' (hat durchfahren). The separable form forms the perfect with 'sein' (ist durchgefahren).
Er hat die ganze Nacht durchfahren. (untrennbar)
He drove through the whole night. (inseparable)
The inseparable form is always transitive, meaning it needs an accusative object. This object is the place or area being crossed.
Wir müssen noch zwei Länder durchfahren, bis wir ankommen.
We still have to drive through two countries before we arrive.
In the inseparable, figurative meaning, the subject is the feeling or thought, and the accusative object is the person. The construction is therefore: 'Ein Gefühl durchfährt jemanden' (a feeling runs through someone).
Ein Gefühl der Erleichterung durchfuhr sie.
A feeling of relief ran through her.
to happen / pass
Both verbs can say that a train or vehicle passes a place without stopping. Passieren remains neutral and refers to crossing or going past the place. Durchfahren emphasizes more strongly that the journey continues. Passieren suits a specific place, while durchfahren is more suitable when focusing on the continuing journey.
Der Zug fährt durch den Bahnhof, ohne zu halten.
The train travels through the station without stopping.
Der Zug passiert den Bahnhof ohne Halt.
The train passes the station without stopping.
