01
die Entfernung
distance
The spatial distance between two places, points, or objects.
example
Die Entfernung zwischen meinem Wohnort und meiner Arbeit ist ziemlich groß.
The distance between where I live and my work is quite large.
die Entfernung
distance / removal
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Entfernung' (distance/removal) is the nominalization of the verb 'entfernen' (to remove). The verb is made up of 'ent-' (away) and 'fern' (far). So the basic idea is to make something 'far away', which explains both meanings: creating distance and removing something.
EXAMPLE
Bitte entfernen Sie Ihr Fahrzeug aus der Einfahrt.
Please remove your vehicle from the driveway.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about places, routes, or units of measurement like kilometers, 'Abstand' (distance) is meant. If it is about an action in which something is taken away (e.g., a stain, trash), 'Beseitigung' (removal) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Entfernung zwischen Berlin und München beträgt fast 600 Kilometer.
The distance between Berlin and Munich is almost 600 kilometers.
Sentence structure
When 'Entfernung' (distance) describes spatial distance, the structure 'die Entfernung zwischen [A] und [B]' (the distance between [A] and [B]) is often used. The places or points are in the dative case.
EXAMPLE
Wie groß ist die Entfernung zwischen deinem Haus und dem Bahnhof?
How great is the distance between your house and the train station?
Grammatical connections
When 'Entfernung' (removal) means taking something away, the removed object is often connected with the genitive or with 'von' + dative. The genitive is somewhat more formal.
EXAMPLE
Die Entfernung des alten Baumes war notwendig.
The removal of the old tree was necessary.
Compare with
Entfernung vs Nähe
closeness / proximity
'die Nähe' and 'die Entfernung' both describe the distance between places or things, but from opposite perspectives. 'Nähe' means that something is not far away. You also say 'in der Nähe von' (near) when one place is close to another. 'Entfernung' refers to the distance itself and is often used when asking how far away something is. The contrast is simple: with 'Nähe', the distance is small; with 'Entfernung', you think of the stretch between two points.
Entfernung
Die Entfernung zwischen den beiden Städten beträgt etwa 80 Kilometer.
The distance between the two cities is about 80 kilometers.
Nähe
Ich wohne in der Nähe vom Bahnhof und brauche nur fünf Minuten dorthin.
I live near the train station and only need five minutes to get there.
In real life
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