porös
porous
Containing many small pores or cavities and therefore permeable to liquids or gases.
EXAMPLE
Der poröse Stein saugt das Wasser schnell auf.
The porous stone absorbs the water quickly.
porös
porous
porös – poröser – am porösesten
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Meanings
porös
porous
Not closed or having gaps, allowing something to pass through or escape easily; also used figuratively for boundaries, systems, or structures.
EXAMPLE
Die poröse Grenze konnte von Schmugglern leicht überwunden werden.
The porous border could easily be crossed by smugglers.
porös
brittle
Having become brittle or crumbly due to aging, especially when referring to rubber.
EXAMPLE
Die Gummidichtung ist porös geworden und muss ersetzt werden.
The rubber seal has become brittle and needs to be replaced.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry porös, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | porös |
|---|---|
| comparative | poröser |
| superlative | am porösesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to porös.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to porös.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to porös.
Usage tips
Context clue
When referring to concrete materials and objects, „porös“ (porous) usually refers to the material structure. When words such as „Grenze“ (border), „System“ (system), or „Struktur“ (structure) appear with it, the usage is often figurative and describes an organization or boundary with gaps.
EXAMPLE
Die poröse Oberfläche des Schwamms nimmt viel Seife auf.
The porous surface of the sponge absorbs a lot of soap.
Das poröse Kontrollsystem ließ mehrere Sicherheitslücken offen.
The porous control system left several security gaps open.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, „porös“ (porous) is often used with materials and objects, for example stone, concrete, ceramic, wood, or a surface. The phrase „poröses Material“ (porous material) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Für den Tisch wurde poröses Holz mit einem Schutzmittel behandelt.
Porous wood was treated with a protective agent for the table.
Figurative use
In its figurative meaning, „porös“ (porous) often describes borders, systems, structures, or rules. The typical idea is that something is not sufficiently closed or protected.
EXAMPLE
Die poröse Grenze erschwerte die Kontrolle des Warenverkehrs.
The porous border made it more difficult to control the movement of goods.
In real life
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