01
senkrecht
vertical
Standing at a 90-degree angle to a horizontal line or surface; vertical.
example
Die Felswand fällt fast senkrecht ins Tal ab.
The rock face drops almost vertically into the valley.
senkrecht
vertical
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from 'senken' (to lower something) and 'recht' (in the sense of 'straight'). It describes the direction in which a weight on a string, a plumb bob, falls — that is, straight down.
EXAMPLE
Ein Lot hängt immer genau senkrecht.
A plumb line always hangs exactly vertically.
Adjective and adverb
'Senkrecht' (vertical/vertically) can stand before a noun as an adjective or function as an adverb describing a movement or position. The form of the word does not change in this use.
EXAMPLE
Zeichne bitte eine senkrechte Linie auf das Papier.
Please draw a vertical line on the paper.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'senkrecht starten' (to take off) is used figuratively for a person who begins an extraordinarily fast and successful career.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrer innovativen Idee ist die junge Unternehmerin sofort senkrecht gestartet.
With her innovative idea, the young entrepreneur took off immediately.
Compare with
senkrecht vs parallel
parallel
'parallel' and 'senkrecht' can both describe how lines or surfaces are positioned in relation to each other. 'parallel' means that two lines always stay the same distance apart and do not intersect. 'senkrecht' means that something stands at a right angle, that is, at a 90-degree angle. The words can be confused because both often occur in geometry, construction, or drawings. Remember: two railway tracks are parallel. A wall can stand 'senkrecht' (vertical) to the floor.
senkrecht
Der Pfosten steht senkrecht im Boden.
The post stands vertically in the ground.
parallel
Die beiden Linien auf dem Blatt sind parallel und treffen sich nicht.
The two lines on the sheet are parallel and do not meet.
In real life
Loading video examples...