das Intervall
interval
A time gap between two events or points in time; a period of time.
EXAMPLE
Die Züge fahren in einem Intervall von zehn Minuten.
The trains run at intervals of ten minutes.
das Intervall
interval
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Meanings
das Intervall
interval / spacing
A spatial distance between two points or objects.
EXAMPLE
Zwischen den Bäumen muss ein Intervall von mindestens drei Metern eingehalten werden.
An interval of at least three meters must be maintained between the trees.
das Intervall
interval
In music, the distance in pitch between two notes.
EXAMPLE
Die Quinte ist ein Intervall, das fünf Tonstufen umspannt.
The fifth is an interval that spans five scale degrees.
das Intervall
interval
In mathematics, a set of numbers that lie between two specific values.
EXAMPLE
Die Funktion ist im Intervall von 0 bis 1 stetig.
The function is continuous on the interval from 0 to 1.
Usage tips
Word origin
The word 'Intervall' (interval) comes from the Latin 'intervallum', meaning 'space between two palisade stakes'. The basic idea of a 'space in between' helps you understand all meanings of the word, whether it is about time, space, music, or mathematics.
EXAMPLE
Zwischen den beiden Terminen liegt ein Intervall von drei Wochen.
There is an interval of three weeks between the two appointments.
Sentence structure with 'in'
'Intervall' (interval) is very often used with the preposition 'in' to describe a regular gap. The typical structure is 'in einem Intervall von [number + unit]' (at an interval of [number + unit]) or 'in regelmäßigen Intervallen' (at regular intervals).
EXAMPLE
Die Medikamente müssen in Intervallen von sechs Stunden eingenommen werden.
The medication must be taken at intervals of six hours.
Register and style
'Intervall' (interval) is a rather formal and educated-sounding word. It is often used in technical, scientific, or organized contexts.
EXAMPLE
Bitte halten Sie beim Parken ein Intervall von einem Meter zum nächsten Fahrzeug ein.
Please maintain an interval of one meter from the next vehicle when parking.
Context clue: time
When it is about time, you can recognize the meaning from words like 'Minuten' (minutes), 'Stunden' (hours), 'Tage' (days), 'regelmäßig' (regularly), or from verbs that describe a process, such as 'fahren' (to run/travel), 'stattfinden' (to take place), or 'wiederholen' (to repeat).
EXAMPLE
Die Sitzungen finden in wöchentlichen Intervallen statt.
The meetings take place at weekly intervals.
Context clue: music
In a musical context, you can recognize the meaning from words like 'Ton' (tone/note), 'Note' (note), 'Harmonie' (harmony), or from specific interval names like 'Terz' (third), 'Quinte' (fifth), or 'Oktave' (octave).
EXAMPLE
Der Sänger hatte Schwierigkeiten, das hohe Intervall sauber zu treffen.
The singer had difficulty hitting the high interval cleanly.
Compare with
Intervall vs Abstand
distance
Abstand and Intervall can both refer to the time between two events. Abstand is the more general word for the separation, while Intervall places more emphasis on a measurable or specified period of time. In everyday situations, Abstand is usually more appropriate; for a precisely defined period, Intervall can also be used.
Intervall
Das Intervall zwischen den beiden Zügen beträgt genau zehn Minuten.
The interval between the two trains is exactly ten minutes.
Abstand
Zwischen den beiden Zügen liegt ein Abstand von zehn Minuten.
There is a ten-minute gap between the two trains.
In real life
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