die Pforte
reception
The reception area or porter's lodge at the entrance of a larger building such as a company, hospital, or hotel.
EXAMPLE
Bitte melden Sie sich bei Ihrer Ankunft an der Pforte.
Please check in at reception when you arrive.
die Pforte
gate / reception
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Meanings
die Pforte
gate
A large, often artistically designed gate or door, usually as the entrance to a special place such as a church, castle, or monastery.
EXAMPLE
Wir schritten durch die ehrwürdige Pforte des alten Doms.
We passed through the venerable gate of the old cathedral.
Usage tips
Register and style
'Die Pforte' (the gate/reception) is an elevated or formal word for an entrance. It is not used for a normal door in an apartment, but for entrances to important or large buildings.
EXAMPLE
Der Besucher wurde an der Pforte des Ministeriums kontrolliert.
The visitor was checked at the reception of the ministry.
Typical collocations
In the context of a reception area, typical phrases are 'sich an der Pforte melden' (to check in at reception), 'den Ausweis an der Pforte vorzeigen' (to show one's ID at reception), or 'etwas an der Pforte abgeben' (to leave something at reception).
EXAMPLE
Könnten Sie dieses Paket bitte für mich an der Pforte abgeben?
Could you please leave this package at reception for me?
Poetic usage
In this meaning, 'Pforte' describes a large, often symbolic gate. It is found in literary or religious contexts, for example 'die Pforte des Himmels' (the gate of heaven) or 'die Pforte zur Unterwelt' (the gate to the underworld).
EXAMPLE
Die goldene Pforte des Tempels beeindruckte alle Besucher.
The golden gate of the temple impressed all the visitors.
Compare with
Pforte vs Tür
door
Tür is the general term for a movable structural element that closes an opening. Pforte usually refers to a large or artistically designed entrance to a special place such as a church or castle. Tür fits an ordinary passage, while Pforte fits a special main entrance.
Pforte
Die Küsterin öffnete die große, kunstvoll verzierte Pforte am Haupteingang der Kirche.
The sexton opened the large, artistically decorated gate at the church’s main entrance.
Tür
Die Küsterin öffnete die kleine Tür an der Seite der Kirche.
The sexton opened the small door on the side of the church.
In real life
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