das Grab
grave
A place in the ground where a deceased person is buried, often in a cemetery.
EXAMPLE
Jeden Sonntag besucht sie das Grab ihrer Großeltern.
Every Sunday she visits her grandparents' grave.
das Grab
grave
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Meanings
das Grab
grave
In a figurative sense, the place of the downfall, end, or failure of something.
EXAMPLE
Die ständigen Streitereien wurden zum Grab ihrer Beziehung.
The constant arguments became the grave of their relationship.
Usage tips
Word family
'Das Grab' (the grave) is closely related to the verb 'graben' (to dig). A grave is literally a pit that was dug for a burial.
EXAMPLE
Die Archäologen haben ein altes Grab entdeckt.
The archaeologists discovered an old grave.
Fixed expressions
There are some fixed expressions connected with burials. 'Jemanden zu Grabe tragen' means to bury someone. 'Am Grab stehen' describes visiting the cemetery.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Familie war da, um den Großvater zu Grabe zu tragen.
The whole family was there to carry the grandfather to his grave.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'das Grab' (the grave) describes the final end or failure of something abstract. It is often used with the genitive preposition 'von' or a genitive attribute, e.g. 'das Grab einer Hoffnung' (the grave of a hope).
EXAMPLE
Dieser Skandal war das Grab seiner politischen Karriere.
This scandal was the grave of his political career.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'ein Geheimnis mit ins Grab nehmen' means to keep a secret to oneself forever and not reveal it to anyone.
EXAMPLE
Er schwor, dieses Geheimnis mit ins Grab zu nehmen.
He swore to take this secret to the grave.
Compare with
Grab vs Gruft
crypt
Grab and Gruft both refer to a place where deceased people are buried. A Grab is usually an individual place in the ground and the neutral everyday term. A Gruft, by contrast, is usually an underground burial chamber, often for several coffins or a family.
Grab
Die Familie besucht am Sonntag das Grab der Großmutter.
The family visits their grandmother’s grave on Sunday.
Gruft
Die Särge der Familie stehen in einer alten Gruft unter der Kirche.
The family’s coffins are in an old crypt beneath the church.
In real life
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