tunnel
Loading your saved state.
tunnel
An underground, often tube-shaped passage built for trains, cars, or pedestrians to pass under obstacles such as mountains or bodies of water.
Der Zug fährt jetzt in den längsten Tunnel der Strecke ein.
The train is now entering the longest tunnel on the route.
The preposition changes depending on what you want to express. You drive 'in den Tunnel' (into the tunnel, accusative), 'durch den Tunnel' (all the way through the tunnel, accusative), or you are 'im Tunnel' (in the tunnel, position, dative).
Fahr vorsichtig in den Tunnel, es ist dort sehr dunkel.
Drive carefully into the tunnel; it's very dark there.
The expression 'im Tunnel sein' or 'wie in einem Tunnel sein' means that you are extremely focused and no longer notice your surroundings.
Wenn ich programmiere, bin ich oft stundenlang wie in einem Tunnel.
When I program, I'm often in a tunnel for hours.
This meaning of 'Tunnel' (nutmeg) is specialist language from sports, especially soccer. There is also the corresponding verb 'tunneln' (to nutmeg), which means to play the ball through an opponent's legs.
Der Stürmer hat den Verteidiger getunnelt und dann das Tor geschossen.
The striker nutmegged the defender and then scored the goal.
passage / round
'der Tunnel' and 'der Durchgang' both refer to a way through which you can get from one side to the other. A 'Tunnel', however, is a specific kind of passage: it is underground or goes through an obstacle, for example through a mountain. A 'Durchgang' is more general and can also be an opening between two rooms, buildings, or areas. Learners may confuse the words because you go through both of them. If it is underground or built for traffic, 'Tunnel' fits. For a normal opening or passage, 'Durchgang' usually fits better.
Der Zug fährt gleich durch den langen Tunnel unter dem Berg.
The train is about to go through the long tunnel under the mountain.
Neben der Küche gibt es einen schmalen Durchgang zum Hof.
Next to the kitchen, there is a narrow passage to the courtyard.