01
der Spalt
gap
A narrow, elongated opening, crack, or joint in or between objects.
example
Durch den Spalt in der Tür konnte man Licht sehen.
You could see light through the gap in the door.
der Spalt
gap / rift
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Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Spalt' (the gap/rift) is the noun related to the verb 'spalten' (to split), which means 'teilen' (to divide) or 'trennen' (to separate). This connection helps you understand both the literal and the figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Ein Blitz hat den alten Baumstamm gespalten.
A bolt of lightning split the old tree trunk.
Context clues
You can recognize the literal meaning (m01) from physical objects such as 'Wand' (wall), 'Tür' (door), or 'Boden' (floor). You can recognize the figurative meaning (m02) from social groups such as 'Partei' (party), 'Gesellschaft' (society), or 'Familie' (family).
EXAMPLE
Die Katze schlüpfte durch einen schmalen Spalt im Zaun.
The cat slipped through a narrow gap in the fence.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'Spalt' (rift) is often combined with adjectives such as 'tief' (deep) or 'unüberbrückbar' (unbridgeable). A typical verb is 'gehen' (to go/run): 'Ein Spalt geht durch die Gruppe' (A rift runs through the group).
EXAMPLE
Die politische Entscheidung verursachte einen tiefen Spalt in der Bevölkerung.
The political decision caused a deep rift in the population.
Compare with
Spalt vs Loch
hole
'das Loch' and 'der Spalt' can both describe an open place in or between things. 'Loch' is more general and can be round, large, or irregular. 'Spalt' is narrow and elongated, often between two parts or in a surface. You can confuse the words because both refer to an opening. As a simple guide: a wide or round open place is more likely to be a 'Loch', while a narrow, long opening is more likely to be a 'Spalt'.
Spalt
Durch den Spalt unter der Tür kam kalte Luft ins Zimmer.
Cold air came into the room through the gap under the door.
Loch
Die Maus ist durch ein Loch in der Wand verschwunden.
The mouse disappeared through a hole in the wall.
In real life
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