In 15 Seconds
- Removing social, emotional, or physical obstacles to foster inclusion.
- Commonly used in professional, political, and social justice contexts.
- Uses the separable verb 'abbauen' meaning to dismantle or reduce.
Meaning
This phrase describes the process of removing obstacles that prevent communication, inclusion, or understanding between people. It is like taking down an invisible wall so that everyone can participate or connect more easily.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting about diversity
Wir müssen im Unternehmen aktiv Barrieren abbauen.
We must actively break down barriers within the company.
Discussing a new friendship
Unser Gespräch hat geholfen, die ersten Barrieren abzubauen.
Our conversation helped to break down the initial barriers.
Talking about city planning
Die Stadt will Barrieren für Rollstuhlfahrer abbauen.
The city wants to remove barriers for wheelchair users.
Cultural Background
The 'Bundesteilhabegesetz' is a major law aimed at 'Barrieren abbauen' for people with disabilities, reflecting the high value placed on institutional inclusion. In Vienna, 'Barrierefreiheit' is a key part of urban identity, with many historic buildings being retrofitted to 'Barrieren abbauen'. Due to its multilingualism, 'Barrieren abbauen' often refers to overcoming language gaps between German, French, and Italian speakers. German companies use this phrase in 'Diversity & Inclusion' workshops to encourage flatter hierarchies and open communication.
Use it in Job Interviews
Mentioning that you like to 'Barrieren abbauen' shows you are a team player and value inclusion.
Don't say 'zerstören'
Unless you are literally using a sledgehammer on a wall, 'zerstören' is too aggressive for social contexts.
In 15 Seconds
- Removing social, emotional, or physical obstacles to foster inclusion.
- Commonly used in professional, political, and social justice contexts.
- Uses the separable verb 'abbauen' meaning to dismantle or reduce.
What It Means
Imagine an invisible wall standing between two people or groups. Barrieren abbauen is the act of taking that wall down, brick by brick. It is not about physical destruction. It is about creating a path where there was once a block. You might be removing language hurdles. You might be fighting against social prejudices. Or you might be making a building accessible for everyone. It is a very positive, proactive term. It suggests that the obstacles were unnecessary in the first place.
How To Use It
You treat abbauen as a separable verb. This means in a normal sentence, the ab flies to the very end. For example: Wir bauen Barrieren ab. If you use it with a modal verb like müssen, it stays together at the end. You can use it in the plural Barrieren for general concepts. You can also use it in the singular eine Barriere for one specific problem. It is a flexible tool for your vocabulary. Use it when you want to sound constructive and inclusive.
When To Use It
This phrase shines in professional and social contexts. Use it in a meeting when discussing how to reach more customers. Use it in a university seminar about social justice. You can even use it with friends when talking about a difficult conversation. If you are making a website easier to read, you are Barrieren abbauen. If you are learning a language to talk to your neighbors, you are doing it too. It fits anywhere where 'making things easier' is the goal.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for literal demolition. If you are knocking down a real brick wall, use einreißen or abreißen. It is also not for breaking habits. You don't Barrieren abbauen a smoking habit; you gewöhnen es sich ab. Avoid using it for simple physical movement. If you are just moving a chair out of the way, this phrase is too heavy. It carries a weight of social or emotional significance. Keep it for the big, meaningful stuff.
Cultural Background
Germany has a deep history with literal and metaphorical walls. Since the reunification, the idea of 'growing together' has been huge. In modern Germany, Barrierefreiheit (accessibility) is a legal and social standard. You will see this everywhere from train stations to government websites. The phrase reflects a society that values structure but also works hard on inclusion. It is a key part of the modern German 'Willkommenskultur' (welcome culture).
Common Variations
You will often hear Vorurteile abbauen. This means to dismantle prejudices. Another common one is Hemmungen abbauen. This is what happens after a glass of wine—you lose your inhibitions! You might also hear Berührungsängste abbauen. This refers to getting over the fear of interacting with something new. All these variations use the same 'dismantling' logic. They all focus on making a connection easier.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral to formal. It is highly effective in professional writing and social discussions but can also be used casually to describe personal breakthroughs.
Use it in Job Interviews
Mentioning that you like to 'Barrieren abbauen' shows you are a team player and value inclusion.
Don't say 'zerstören'
Unless you are literally using a sledgehammer on a wall, 'zerstören' is too aggressive for social contexts.
The 'Im Kopf' trick
Adding 'im Kopf' (in the mind) is a very common way to talk about overcoming prejudice.
Barrierefreiheit
This is the noun you will see on signs and in laws. It's the goal of 'Barrieren abbauen'.
Examples
6Wir müssen im Unternehmen aktiv Barrieren abbauen.
We must actively break down barriers within the company.
Here it refers to systemic or social obstacles in the workplace.
Unser Gespräch hat geholfen, die ersten Barrieren abzubauen.
Our conversation helped to break down the initial barriers.
Refers to the awkwardness or distance between two people.
Die Stadt will Barrieren für Rollstuhlfahrer abbauen.
The city wants to remove barriers for wheelchair users.
Refers to physical accessibility in public spaces.
Nach dem zweiten Glas Wein waren alle Barrieren abgebaut.
After the second glass of wine, all barriers were gone.
A casual way to say the conversation became much easier.
Mein Hund baut Barrieren ab, indem er jeden sofort ableckt.
My dog breaks down barriers by licking everyone immediately.
Uses the phrase in a lighthearted, literal-meets-metaphorical way.
Es ist schwer, diese inneren Barrieren abzubauen.
It is hard to dismantle these internal barriers.
Refers to personal emotional defenses or trauma.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'abbauen'.
Wir haben im letzten Jahr viele bürokratische Barrieren ________.
The sentence is in the Perfekt tense, so we need the Partizip II 'abgebaut'.
Welcher Satz ist am natürlichsten?
Wie können wir Vorurteile in der Gesellschaft reduzieren?
'Abbauen' is the standard collocation for social obstacles.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Warum ist Inklusion so schwierig? B: Weil es Zeit braucht, um ________.
We need the 'zu' + infinitive form 'abzubauen'.
Welche Situation passt zu 'Barrieren abbauen'?
Ein Unternehmen stellt eine Rampe für Rollstuhlfahrer bereit.
A ramp removes a physical obstacle.
Setzen Sie das trennbare Verb richtig ein.
Die neue Regierung ________ viele alte Barrieren ________.
In a main clause, the prefix 'ab' goes to the end.
Kombinieren Sie die Wörter.
1. Vorurteile, 2. Rampen bauen, 3. Einfache Sprache
Matches the type of barrier with the action.
🎉 Score: /6
Visual Learning Aids
Abbauen vs. Aufbauen
Practice Bank
6 exercisesWir haben im letzten Jahr viele bürokratische Barrieren ________.
The sentence is in the Perfekt tense, so we need the Partizip II 'abgebaut'.
Wie können wir Vorurteile in der Gesellschaft reduzieren?
'Abbauen' is the standard collocation for social obstacles.
A: Warum ist Inklusion so schwierig? B: Weil es Zeit braucht, um ________.
We need the 'zu' + infinitive form 'abzubauen'.
Ein Unternehmen stellt eine Rampe für Rollstuhlfahrer bereit.
A ramp removes a physical obstacle.
Die neue Regierung ________ viele alte Barrieren ________.
In a main clause, the prefix 'ab' goes to the end.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matches the type of barrier with the action.
🎉 Score: /6
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes! 'Stress abbauen' is a very common phrase meaning to reduce stress.
Usually, yes. 'Barrieren' (plural) refers to the general concept of obstacles. Singular is rare.
'Entfernen' is just 'to remove'. 'Abbauen' implies taking something apart piece by piece.
Yes, it is standard German used across all German-speaking regions.
Absolutely. 'Sprachbarrieren abbauen' is one of the most common uses.
It is neutral to formal. You can use it in a newspaper or a conversation with a friend.
'Barrieren aufbauen' (to build up barriers).
Yes, but it's less common than the figurative use unless it's a temporary structure.
No, it sounds more like 'dismantling' or 'reducing'.
No, it is a weak (regular) verb: baute ab, abgebaut.
You can, but it sounds more like 'reducing the impact' rather than removing them.
Yes, to describe getting to know someone and losing shyness.
The word is 'Barrierefreiheit'.
Very often, especially regarding the economy and social justice.
Related Phrases
Vorurteile überwinden
similarTo overcome prejudices
Brücken bauen
contrastTo build bridges
Barrierefreiheit
specialized formAccessibility
Das Eis brechen
similarTo break the ice
Hindernisse beseitigen
synonymTo eliminate obstacles
Mauern einreißen
builds onTo tear down walls
