to climb
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to climb
To reach something high and often difficult by climbing or ascending. Frequently used for mountains or summits.
Die Bergsteigergruppe hat den Gipfel des Mount Everest erfolgreich erklommen.
The group of mountaineers successfully climbed the summit of Mount Everest.
The verb consists of the prefix 'er-' and the stem 'klimmen' (an old form of 'klettern', to climb). The prefix 'er-' here emphasizes the successful reaching of a goal through effort.
Es war sein Traum, diesen schweren Berg einmal zu erklimmen.
It was his dream to climb this difficult mountain one day.
'Erklimmen' (to climb) is an inseparable verb, so the prefix 'er-' always remains at the beginning of the verb. It always needs an accusative object that indicates what is being climbed.
Sie hat den höchsten Turm der Stadt erklommen.
She climbed the tallest tower in the city.
The object of the verb shows whether the meaning is literal or figurative. If it is a physical place like 'Berg' (mountain) or 'Gipfel' (summit), it is literal. With abstract goals like 'Karriereleiter' (career ladder) or 'Thron' (throne), it is meant figuratively.
Die Kinder versuchten, den höchsten Baum im Garten zu erklimmen.
The children tried to climb the tallest tree in the garden.
The verb 'erklimmen' (to climb) belongs to elevated language. It sounds more formal and poetic than simply 'klettern' (to climb) or 'steigen' (to ascend) and emphasizes the difficulty and success of the action.
Nur wenige schaffen es, die höchsten Gipfel der Welt zu erklimmen.
Only a few manage to climb the highest summits in the world.
In the figurative meaning, 'erklimmen' (to climb) is often connected with goals in career and society. Typical phrases are 'die Karriereleiter erklimmen' (to climb the career ladder), 'die Spitze erklimmen' (to climb to the top), or 'den Thron erklimmen' (to ascend the throne).
Mit ihrem neuen Album hat die Band die Spitze der Charts erklommen.
With their new album, the band climbed to the top of the charts.
to reach
'erreichen' and 'erklimmen' can both describe reaching a high goal. 'erreichen' is general: you can reach a place, a goal, or a state. 'erklimmen' is more precise and more figurative. It fits especially when you manage to reach something high by climbing or ascending, for example a mountain. In a figurative sense, you can also 'eine hohe Position erklimmen' (climb to a high position). Learners may confuse the words because both express a goal reached with effort. But 'erklimmen' only fits when height or a difficult climb is important. Otherwise, 'erreichen' is usually more natural.
Am Wochenende hat die Gruppe den steilen Gipfel erklommen.
At the weekend, the group climbed the steep summit.
Lena erreicht nach zwei Stunden Wanderung die Hütte.
After two hours of hiking, Lena reaches the hut.