narrowness / crampedness
die Enge, die Engen
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crampedness
A state or space with very little room, in which one feels confined or can move only with difficulty.
Wegen der Enge im Aufzug bekam sie kaum Luft.
Because of the cramped conditions in the elevator, she could hardly breathe.
narrow passage
A narrow spot or confined space that something or someone can pass through only with difficulty.
Durch diese Enge zwischen den Felsen mussten wir uns einzeln hindurchzwängen.
We had to squeeze through this narrow passage between the rocks one at a time.
narrow-mindedness
A limited, closed-minded perspective or restricted intellectual horizon.
Nach Jahren in der Großstadt empfand sie die geistige Enge ihres Heimatdorfs als bedrückend.
After years in the city, she found the narrow-mindedness of her home village oppressive.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Engen |
| genitive | der Enge |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Enge | die Engen |
| accusative | die Enge | die Engen |
| dative | der Enge | den Engen |
| genitive | der Enge | der Engen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Enge' (narrowness / crampedness) belongs to the word family of 'eng' (narrow) and describes the restricted physical or mental situation that results from it. The ending '-e' turns the adjective into a noun for a state or quality.
Die Enge des Raumes machte das Arbeiten sehr anstrengend.
The crampedness of the room made working very tiring.
When referring to cramped physical conditions, phrases such as 'im Raum' (in the room), 'im Aufzug' (in the elevator), or 'in den Gängen' (in the corridors) often appear alongside it. Typical verbs are 'spüren' (to feel), 'ertragen' (to endure), and 'unter etwas leiden' (to suffer from something).
Viele Menschen konnten die Enge im überfüllten Zug kaum ertragen.
Many people could hardly endure the cramped conditions on the overcrowded train.
The figurative meaning often occurs in phrases such as 'geistige Enge' (narrow-mindedness), 'Enge des Denkens' (narrowness of thought), and 'sich aus der Enge lösen' (to break free from narrow-mindedness). The context then usually contains words related to thinking, education, or social attitudes.
Durch neue Erfahrungen konnte sie sich aus der Enge ihrer bisherigen Vorstellungen lösen.
Through new experiences, she was able to break free from the narrowness of her previous beliefs.
