jemandem in die Quere kommen
to get in someone's way
To hinder or disturb someone in something they are doing.
EXAMPLE
Ich will dir bei deiner Arbeit nicht in die Quere kommen.
I don't want to get in your way while you're working.
die Quere
way
die Quere
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
jemandem in die Quere kommen
to cross someone's path
To encounter someone unexpectedly or cross their path.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Weg zum Bahnhof kam mir plötzlich ein alter Freund in die Quere.
On the way to the train station, I suddenly crossed paths with an old friend.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Quere, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| genitive | der Quere |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Quere | – |
| accusative | die Quere | – |
| dative | der Quere | – |
| genitive | der Quere | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Fixed construction
'Die Quere' (the way) is almost always used in the fixed expression 'jemandem in die Quere kommen' (to get in someone's way). The person affected is in the dative, while 'in die Quere' remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte dir bei der Vorbereitung nicht in die Quere kommen.
I don't want to get in your way while you're preparing.
Context clue
When the topic is work, plans, or a project, the expression usually means that someone is being hindered. Words such as 'Weg' (way), 'Straße' (street), or 'zufällig' (by chance) often point to an unexpected encounter or crossing someone's path.
EXAMPLE
Der zusätzliche Termin kam mir bei der Planung in die Quere.
The additional appointment got in my way while I was planning.
Auf dem schmalen Weg kam uns plötzlich eine Radfahrerin in die Quere.
On the narrow path, a cyclist suddenly crossed our path.
Typical collocations
In the sense of hindering someone, 'in die Quere kommen' (to get in someone's way) is often used with activities and projects, for example with work, planning, or an important project.
EXAMPLE
Bitte ruf mich später an, damit du mir bei der Arbeit nicht in die Quere kommst.
Please call me later so you don't get in my way while I'm working.
In real life
Loading video examples...