greifbar
within reach
So close that you can reach it with your hand and touch it; touchable.
EXAMPLE
Bitte lege die Fernbedienung in greifbare Nähe.
Please put the remote control within reach.
greifbar
tangible / within reach
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Meanings
greifbar
tangible
In a figurative sense: clearly recognizable, concrete, understandable, or imaginable.
EXAMPLE
Seine Angst war im ganzen Raum fast greifbar.
His fear was almost tangible throughout the room.
greifbar
within reach
In a figurative sense: very close in time and about to happen.
EXAMPLE
Der Sieg war schon zum Greifen nah, doch dann fiel das Gegentor.
Victory was already within reach, but then the opposing team scored.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of the stem of the verb 'greifen' (to grab/reach) and the ending '-bar'. The ending '-bar' often means 'can be ...', so 'greifbar' is literally something that can be grasped.
EXAMPLE
Die Werkzeuge sollten für den Handwerker immer greifbar sein.
The tools should always be within reach for the craftsman.
Fixed expression
In the literal meaning, 'greifbar' is very often used in the fixed expression 'in greifbarer Nähe' (within easy reach). This means that something is very close.
EXAMPLE
Stell das Glas bitte in greifbare Nähe, damit ich es erreichen kann.
Please put the glass within reach so I can get to it.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'clearly perceptible' by the fact that 'greifbar' is combined with abstract nouns such as 'Spannung' (tension), 'Angst' (fear), 'Erleichterung' (relief), or 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere).
EXAMPLE
Die Erleichterung nach der Prüfung war im ganzen Raum greifbar.
The relief after the exam was tangible throughout the room.
Fixed expression
To express that a goal or event is very close in time, the fixed expression 'zum Greifen nah' (within reach) is used.
EXAMPLE
Der Urlaub ist schon zum Greifen nah, nur noch zwei Tage arbeiten!
The vacation is already within reach—only two more days of work!
Compare with
greifbar vs konkret
specific / concrete
Both words can express a clear idea of a plan or project. „Konkret“ generally requires specific details, while „greifbar“ also emphasizes that something becomes vivid and easy to imagine. Use „konkret“ for clear information and „greifbar“ when the idea is particularly vivid.
greifbar
Durch die Bilder wird der Plan für die neuen Mitarbeiter greifbar.
The images make the plan tangible for the new employees.
konkret
Der Plan wird konkret, sobald wir Termine, Kosten und nächste Schritte nennen.
The plan becomes concrete as soon as we specify dates, costs, and the next steps.
In real life
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