draft / depth
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draft
The distance between the water surface and the lowest point of a ship. The draft determines how deep the water must be for a ship to be able to sail.
Wegen seines großen Tiefgangs kann das Containerschiff nicht in diesen flachen Hafen einlaufen.
Because of its large draft, the container ship cannot enter this shallow harbor.
depth
In a figurative sense, the intellectual, emotional, or substantive depth and substance of something, for example a conversation, a film, or a person.
Dem Film fehlte es an emotionalem Tiefgang, obwohl die Schauspieler gut waren.
The film lacked emotional depth, even though the actors were good.
The word is made up of 'tief' (deep) and 'Gang' (course/gait). The literal meaning refers to the 'deep course' of a ship in the water. This idea of depth is also transferred to the figurative meaning.
Das Gespräch hatte überraschend viel Tiefgang.
The conversation had a surprising amount of depth.
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about ships, harbors, or water, the nautical meaning is intended. If it is about conversations, films, books, or people, the figurative, intellectual depth is meant.
Das Schiff hat einen Tiefgang von über zehn Metern.
The ship has a draft of over ten meters.
In the figurative sense, 'Tiefgang' (depth) is often used in two fixed patterns: 'etwas hat Tiefgang' (something has depth) or 'etwas fehlt an Tiefgang' (something lacks depth). The second formulation uses the preposition 'an' with the dative.
Diese Diskussion hat wirklich Tiefgang.
This discussion really has depth.
In shipping, the draft is often described with the adjectives 'groß' (large), 'gering' (small/low), or 'maximal' (maximum). People also say 'einen Tiefgang haben von ... Metern' (to have a draft of ... meters).
Das Frachtschiff hat einen Tiefgang von 15 Metern.
The cargo ship has a draft of 15 meters.
