die Ecke
corner
The point or area where two lines, surfaces, or streets meet.
EXAMPLE
Wir treffen uns an der Ecke Hauptstraße und Schillerstraße.
We'll meet at the corner of Hauptstraße and Schillerstraße.
die Ecke
corner
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Meanings
um die Ecke
around the corner
Very nearby; not far away.
EXAMPLE
Die Bäckerei ist gleich hier um die Ecke.
The bakery is right around the corner.
die Ecke
corner
A specific area or angle within a room or a larger space.
EXAMPLE
In der hinteren Ecke des Zimmers steht ein alter Sessel.
There is an old armchair in the back corner of the room.
jemanden um die Ecke bringen
to bump someone off
Colloquial for killing or murdering someone.
EXAMPLE
Im Krimi wollte der Täter den Zeugen um die Ecke bringen.
In the crime novel, the perpetrator wanted to bump off the witness.
Usage tips
Correct preposition
The preposition reveals the location. 'An der Ecke' (at the corner) describes a position on the street (dative). 'In der Ecke' (in the corner) describes a position in a room (dative).
EXAMPLE
Der Briefkasten befindet sich an der nächsten Ecke.
The mailbox is located at the next corner.
Fixed expression
The expression 'um die Ecke' (around the corner) often does not literally mean that you go around a corner, but that something is very close. This is often emphasized with 'gleich' (right) or 'direkt' (directly).
EXAMPLE
Keine Sorge, der Supermarkt ist gleich um die Ecke.
Don't worry, the supermarket is right around the corner.
Colloquial expression
The expression 'jemanden um die Ecke bringen' (to bump someone off) is a colloquial and figurative way of saying 'jemanden töten' (to kill someone). The structure is fixed: the subject bringt the accusative object um die Ecke.
EXAMPLE
Im Film versucht der Bösewicht, den einzigen Zeugen um die Ecke zu bringen.
In the film, the villain tries to bump off the only witness.
Typical verbs
When talking about a street corner, typical verbs are 'stehen' (to stand), 'warten' (to wait), or 'sich treffen' (to meet).
EXAMPLE
Ich warte an der Ecke auf dich.
I'll wait for you at the corner.
Compare with
Ecke vs Gegend
area
Both words can refer to an imprecisely defined area in a city or its surroundings. „Die Ecke“ usually suggests a smaller area and is often used colloquially to locate a place, whereas „die Gegend“ refers to the broader surrounding area. „Ecke“ fits a small area, while „Gegend“ is more suitable for a larger one.
Ecke
In dieser Ecke der Stadt gibt es viele kleine Cafés.
There are lots of small cafés in this corner of the city.
Gegend
In dieser Gegend der Stadt gibt es viele kleine Cafés.
There are lots of small cafés in this area of the city.
In real life
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