gap
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gap
An empty space or open spot in something that should actually be closed or continuous, e.g. in a row, a text, or a wall.
Er hat eine Lücke in der Zahnreihe, seit ihm ein Zahn gezogen wurde.
He has a gap in his row of teeth since a tooth was pulled.
gap / loophole
A missing or unaccounted-for part in a system, plan, or argument. A legal loophole is an example of this.
Die Anwältin entdeckte eine Lücke im Vertrag, die ihrem Klienten zugutekam.
The lawyer discovered a gap in the contract that benefited her client.
gap
A free period of time in an otherwise full schedule.
Ich habe zwischen zwei Terminen eine kleine Lücke und könnte dich dann treffen.
I have a small gap between two appointments and could meet you then.
parking space
A free space for parking a vehicle, usually between other cars.
Nach langem Suchen fanden wir endlich eine passende Lücke zum Einparken.
After searching for a long time, we finally found a suitable space to park in.
Whether it is a physical or an abstract gap, the same verbs are often used. Typical combinations are 'eine Lücke füllen' (to fill a gap), 'eine Lücke schließen' (to close a gap), or 'eine Lücke finden' (to find a gap).
Mit diesem neuen Mitarbeiter wollen wir eine wichtige Lücke im Team schließen.
With this new employee, we want to close an important gap in the team.
To say where a gap is located, the preposition 'in' with the dative is almost always used. For example: 'eine Lücke im Zaun' (a gap in the fence), 'eine Lücke im Lebenslauf' (a gap in one's résumé/CV), or 'eine Lücke im System' (a gap in the system).
Die Katze ist durch eine Lücke im Zaun geschlüpft.
The cat slipped through a gap in the fence.
In the abstract meaning, 'Lücke' (gap/loophole) is often part of fixed terms. Common examples are 'Gesetzeslücke' (a case not regulated by the law; legal loophole), 'Sicherheitslücke' (a vulnerability in a system), or 'Marktlücke' (a gap in the market).
Das Software-Update schließt eine kritische Sicherheitslücke.
The software update closes a critical security vulnerability.
The meaning 'parking space' is very specific. You recognize it from the context of driving. Typical words nearby are 'parken' (to park), 'einparken' (to park / to maneuver into a parking space), 'Auto' (car), or 'Parkplatz' (parking space/parking lot).
Ich habe eine enge Lücke gefunden und rückwärts eingeparkt.
I found a tight space and backed into it.
mistake / error
In an argument, a Fehler is an incorrect statement or inference. By contrast, a Lücke occurs when a necessary step in the reasoning is missing or has not been taken into account. Use Fehler for something incorrect and Lücke for something missing.
Zwischen den Ergebnissen und seiner Schlussfolgerung bleibt eine Lücke in der Argumentation.
There is a gap in the argument between the results and his conclusion.
Die Behauptung, alle günstigen Produkte seien schlecht, ist ein Fehler in seiner Argumentation.
The claim that all inexpensive products are bad is an error in his argument.
