01
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
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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 Ende
end
'das Ende' and 'das Grab' can both have to do with death or something being finally over. 'das Ende' is more general and can cautiously or formally mean death. 'das Grab' is more concrete: it is the place where a deceased person is buried. In figurative language, 'das Grab' can also mean the downfall or failure of something. When you are talking about the final point of a life or of something else, 'Ende' is more suitable. When the place of burial or a strong image for failure is meant, 'Grab' fits better.
Grab
Am Sonntag besucht Maria das Grab ihrer Großmutter auf dem Friedhof.
On Sunday, Maria visits her grandmother's grave at the cemetery.
Ende
Nach langer Krankheit kam das Ende für den alten Mann friedlich.
After a long illness, the end came peacefully for the old man.
In real life
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