eng
narrow / tight
Offering little space or room; not wide or spacious.
EXAMPLE
Die Straße ist zu eng für zwei Autos nebeneinander.
The road is too narrow for two cars side by side.
eng
narrow / close / tight
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Meanings
eng
close
Describing a very close and familiar relationship between people.
EXAMPLE
Sie pflegt eine enge Freundschaft mit ihrer Nachbarin.
She maintains a close friendship with her neighbor.
eng
tight
Limited or restricted in terms of time or content.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des engen Zeitplans müssen wir uns beeilen.
Because of the tight schedule, we have to hurry.
in engem Kontakt stehen
to be in close contact
To have regular and direct communication with someone.
EXAMPLE
Die Projektleiter stehen in engem Kontakt, um den Fortschritt zu besprechen.
The project managers are in close contact to discuss the progress.
Usage tips
Adverbial use
'Eng' (narrow/close/tight) can also be used as an adverb to describe the way an action is done. It then means 'close together' or 'intensively'.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Abteilungen arbeiten bei diesem Projekt eng zusammen.
The two departments are working closely together on this project.
Typical collocations
To describe a close relationship, 'eng' (close) is often combined with people or relationships. Typical phrases are 'ein enger Freund' (a close friend), 'eine enge Beziehung' (a close relationship), or 'enge Familienbande' (close family ties).
EXAMPLE
Er ist einer meiner engsten Freunde seit der Schulzeit.
He has been one of my closest friends since school.
Typical collocations
When it comes to limitations, 'eng' (tight) is often used for abstract things like time or finances. Common combinations are 'ein enger Zeitplan' (a tight schedule), 'ein enges Budget' (a tight budget), or 'in die engere Wahl kommen' (to be shortlisted).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des engen Budgets können wir dieses Jahr nicht in den Urlaub fahren.
Because of the tight budget, we can't go on vacation this year.
Fixed expression
The expression 'in engem Kontakt stehen' (to be in close contact) is often used with the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative to name the person or group one is in contact with.
EXAMPLE
Ich stehe in engem Kontakt mit meinem ehemaligen Professor.
I am in close contact with my former professor.
Compare with
eng vs kurz
short / brief
Both words can refer to having little time available. “Kurz” mainly describes the short duration, while “eng” emphasizes the limited amount of time available. Say “kurz” when something does not last long, and “eng” when a schedule leaves hardly any room for delays.
eng
Für die Abgabe ist unser Zeitfenster sehr eng.
Our time window for submitting it is very tight.
kurz
Für das Gespräch haben wir heute nur kurz Zeit.
We only have a little time for the conversation today.
In real life
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