to ram / drive in
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to ram
To crash into something with great force and speed, often in order to damage it or break through it. This is typically done by vehicles, ships, or large objects.
Das gestohlene Auto rammte eine Polizeisperre und kam zum Stehen.
The stolen car rammed a police roadblock and came to a stop.
to drive in
To drive a long object, such as a stake or pillar, vertically into the ground or another surface with forceful blows.
Die Bauarbeiter rammen die Fundamentpfähle tief in den weichen Untergrund.
The construction workers are driving the foundation piles deep into the soft ground.
The verb 'rammen' (to ram / drive in) always requires a direct object in the accusative. This object is the thing or person that is hit with force.
Das Schiff rammte den Eisberg mit voller Wucht.
The ship rammed the iceberg with full force.
The two meanings can be recognized well from the object. If it is a vehicle, a door, or a barrier, it refers to a collision. If it is a stake or pillar, it refers to driving it into the ground.
Ein betrunkener Fahrer rammte ein geparktes Auto.
A drunk driver rammed a parked car.
In the context of collisions, 'rammen' (to ram) is often used with objects that serve as obstacles. Typical collocations are 'ein Tor rammen' (to ram a gate), 'eine Wand rammen' (to ram a wall), or 'eine Absperrung rammen' (to ram a barrier).
Die Einbrecher rammten mit ihrem Wagen das Eingangstor.
The burglars rammed the entrance gate with their car.
In this meaning, 'rammen' (to drive in) is almost always combined with an indication of direction. The most common construction is 'etwas in den Boden rammen' or 'etwas in die Erde rammen' (to drive something into the ground).
Die Bauarbeiter mussten die Pfähle zehn Meter tief in den Boden rammen.
The construction workers had to drive the piles ten meters deep into the ground.
to push / bump / come across
Stoßen can generally refer to brief, forceful contact or a collision. Rammen emphasizes a particularly forceful collision involving vehicles or large objects, which is often intentional or causes damage. In the case of a strong impact with possible damage, rammen is therefore usually the better choice.
Mit hoher Geschwindigkeit rammte der Fahrer mit dem Lieferwagen die Mauer und beschädigte sie schwer.
The driver rammed the delivery van into the wall at high speed, badly damaging it.
Beim Rangieren stieß der Fahrer mit dem Lieferwagen gegen die Mauer.
While maneuvering, the driver bumped the delivery van into the wall.
