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B1 noun #7,000 mais comum 9 min de leitura

die Hürde

Top 7,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas die Hürde em 30 segundos

Explicação die Hürde in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'die Hürde' is something difficult. Imagine a tall fence you have to jump over. In simple German: 'Die Hürde ist hoch' (The hurdle is high). You might see it in pictures of people running and jumping. It is a feminine word (die). You can think of it like a 'problem' that you jump over. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just remember 'die Hürde' = obstacle.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'die Hürde' in simple sentences about your life. For example, 'Deutsch lernen ist eine Hürde' (Learning German is a hurdle). You should know the plural form 'die Hürden'. You can use adjectives like 'klein' (small) or 'groß' (big). You might say, 'Ich habe eine kleine Hürde' when you have a small problem to solve before you can do something fun.

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At the B1 level, you should use 'die Hürde' more figuratively. It's often used for exams, job applications, or official paperwork. You should learn the verb 'überwinden' (to overcome). A common sentence would be: 'Wir müssen diese Hürde überwinden.' You also start to see compound words like 'Sprachhürde' (language hurdle). It's a key word for discussing plans and the problems that might stop them.

At the B2 level, you use 'die Hürde' in professional and political contexts. You should be familiar with the 'Fünf-Prozent-Hürde' in German politics. You can use more sophisticated verbs like 'beseitigen' (to eliminate) or 'abbauen' (to reduce/dismantle). You might discuss 'bürokratische Hürden' in a presentation. Your sentences should be more complex: 'Trotz der bürokratischen Hürden konnten wir das Projekt pünktlich starten.'

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At the C1 level, 'die Hürde' is used to analyze structural and societal issues. You talk about 'Einstiegshürden' in markets or 'soziale Hürden' in the education system. You understand the nuance between 'Hürde' and 'Hindernis' and use them correctly in essays. You might use idiomatic expressions or metaphors involving hurdles in high-level debates. You recognize that a hurdle is often a requirement set by an authority.

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At the C2 level, you use 'die Hürde' with total precision and stylistic flair. You might use it in literary analysis or philosophical discussions about the nature of human progress and the obstacles we set for ourselves. You can play with the word in puns or creative writing. You understand the historical etymology and how it has shaped German thought regarding bureaucracy and competition. You use it effortlessly in any register.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

die Hürde em 30 segundos

Die Hürde means hurdle or obstacle in both literal and figurative senses.
It is a feminine noun (die Hürde, plural die Hürden).
Commonly used with verbs like überwinden (overcome) and nehmen (take/clear).
Crucial in German politics (5% hurdle) and professional contexts (bureaucracy).

The German noun die Hürde is a versatile word that functions both in physical sports contexts and as a powerful metaphor for life's challenges. In its most literal sense, it refers to the physical barriers used in track and field events (hurdling). However, for a B1 learner, the metaphorical usage is far more frequent. It describes any obstacle, difficulty, or requirement that must be overcome to achieve a specific goal. Whether you are discussing the difficulties of learning a language, the bureaucratic red tape of moving to Germany, or the emotional barriers in a relationship, die Hürde is your go-to term.

Literal Meaning: A frame or fence used in athletics that runners must jump over during a race.
Figurative Meaning: Any abstract difficulty, such as a difficult exam, a high financial cost, or a complex legal requirement.

Die größte Hürde beim Deutschlernen ist oft die Grammatik.

Translation: The biggest hurdle in learning German is often the grammar.

In professional settings, you will often hear about 'bürokratische Hürden' (bureaucratic hurdles). This refers to the complex paperwork and processes that can slow down business operations or personal applications. In social contexts, it might refer to the 'Hemmschwelle'—a psychological hurdle that prevents someone from acting. Understanding this word allows you to articulate frustrations and achievements with nuance. You don't just 'have a problem'; you 'face a hurdle' that you intend to clear.

Um den Job zu bekommen, musste sie viele Hürden überwinden.

Usage in Politics: The 'Fünf-Prozent-Hürde' is the 5% threshold that political parties must reach to enter the German parliament (Bundestag).

Culturally, Germans often view 'Hürden' as something that requires a systematic approach. Whether it's the 'Sprachhürde' (language barrier) or 'finanzielle Hürden' (financial obstacles), the focus is usually on the effort required to jump over them. The word carries a sense of challenge but also implies that the obstacle is surmountable with enough momentum and skill. It is a motivating word, suggesting that once the jump is made, the path forward is clear.

Die finanzielle Hürde war für die kleine Firma zu hoch.

Using die Hürde correctly involves pairing it with specific verbs that describe how you interact with it. The most common verbs are überwinden (to overcome), nehmen (to clear/take), and scheitern an (to fail at/because of). Because it is a feminine noun, you must use the articles die (nominative/accusative), der (genitive/dative), and die (plural).

With 'überwinden': This is the most formal and common way to say you've beaten an obstacle. 'Wir müssen diese Hürde gemeinsam überwinden.'
With 'nehmen': Borrowed from athletics, this means to successfully jump over or pass the obstacle. 'Sie hat die erste Hürde im Bewerbungsprozess genommen.'

Trotz aller Hürden hat er sein Ziel erreicht.

Despite all hurdles, he reached his goal.

When describing the difficulty of the hurdle, you can use adjectives like hoch (high), niedrig (low), unüberwindbar (insurmountable), or bürokratisch (bureaucratic). For example, 'Die bürokratischen Hürden in Deutschland sind weltweit bekannt.' This sentence structure helps you specify exactly what kind of barrier you are facing. You can also use it in the dative case after certain prepositions: 'Vor dieser Hürde haben viele Angst' (Many are afraid of this hurdle).

Es gibt noch eine letzte Hürde vor dem Abschluss des Vertrages.

In more complex sentences, you might find Hürde as part of a compound noun. Words like Einstiegshürde (barrier to entry) or Altershürde (age barrier) are very common in economic and social discussions. 'Die Einstiegshürden für diesen Markt sind extrem hoch.' This allows for very precise communication in professional German. By mastering these patterns, you can move from simple descriptions to sophisticated analysis of situations.

Die Hürden für eine Firmengründung wurden gesenkt.

Negation: 'Das ist keine Hürde für mich' (That is no hurdle for me/I can do that easily).

You will encounter die Hürde in a variety of real-world scenarios. The most obvious place is sports broadcasting, specifically during the Olympic Games or European Athletics Championships. Commentators will shout about athletes 'taking the hurdles' (die Hürden nehmen) in the 110m or 400m hurdles race. However, outside of the stadium, the word is a staple of German news and political discourse.

In der Tagesschau wurde über die Hürden bei der Energiewende berichtet.

Tagesschau reported on the hurdles in the energy transition.

In the context of German elections, you will inevitably hear about the Fünf-Prozent-Hürde. This is a critical part of the German democratic system designed to prevent small, extremist parties from fragmenting the parliament. If a party gets 4.9%, they have 'failed at the hurdle' (an der Hürde gescheitert). This specific phrase is used every election cycle and is essential for anyone following German politics.

In the workplace, managers often speak about 'Hürden abbauen' (reducing hurdles) to make processes more efficient. In education, teachers talk about the 'Hürden' students face when transitioning from school to university. You'll also see it in advertisements, where companies promise to help you overcome 'finanzielle Hürden' through loans or payment plans. It's a word that bridges the gap between the concrete and the abstract, making it indispensable for daily life in Germany.

News Headlines: 'Neue Hürden für Asylbewerber' or 'Wirtschaft fordert Abbau von Hürden'.

Die bürokratische Hürde ist oft zu hoch für kleine Start-ups.

Finally, in casual conversation, someone might say 'Das ist doch keine Hürde!' to encourage you, meaning it's not a big deal or easily solvable. It's a way to minimize a problem and show confidence. Whether you are listening to a podcast about personal development or reading the business section of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, keep an ear out for this word—it is everywhere.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is confusing die Hürde with the word die Horde (horde/crowd). While they sound somewhat similar, they couldn't be more different. A 'Horde' is a group of people, often used negatively, while a 'Hürde' is an obstacle. Another common error is using the wrong gender. It is die Hürde (feminine), not 'der Hürde'.

Mistake: Hürde vs. Hindernis: While often interchangeable, 'Hindernis' is more general. 'Hürde' specifically implies something you jump over or clear as part of a process.

Falsch: Ich habe den Hürde genommen. (Richtig: die Hürde)

Learners also struggle with the plural form. It is die Hürden. Avoid adding an extra 'e' or 's' at the end like English. Another nuance is the verb choice. While you 'overcome' an obstacle in English, in German you can 'überwinden' or 'nehmen'. 'Nehmen' is very specific to hurdles and sounds very native. If you say 'Ich habe die Hürde gemacht', it sounds unnatural. You don't 'make' a hurdle; you 'take' it or 'overcome' it.

Falsch: Wir müssen diese Horde überwinden. (Unless you're fighting a crowd!)

Finally, watch out for the 'Fünf-Prozent-Hürde'. Some learners try to translate it literally as 'five percent barrier', but 'Hürde' is the specific political term. Using the correct term shows a deeper understanding of German institutions. Also, remember that 'Hürde' usually implies a single, defined obstacle. If you have a general feeling of difficulty, 'Schwierigkeit' might be better. Use 'Hürde' when there is a specific 'jump' required to move to the next stage.

Wrong Verb Pairing: Avoid 'Hürde lösen' (solve a hurdle). You solve a problem (Problem lösen), but you overcome a hurdle (Hürde überwinden).

German is rich with words for obstacles. Understanding the nuances between die Hürde, das Hindernis, die Barriere, and die Schranke will greatly improve your fluency. While they are often listed as synonyms, their 'flavor' differs based on the context and the type of obstruction being described.

das Hindernis: A general obstacle. It could be a rock in the road or a lack of money. It doesn't necessarily imply a 'jump' like a hurdle does.
die Barriere: Often used for physical or social barriers, like 'Sprachbarriere' (language barrier) or 'Barrierefreiheit' (accessibility/no barriers for disabled people).

Es gibt viele Hindernisse auf dem Weg zum Erfolg, aber diese Hürde ist die wichtigste.

Another interesting alternative is die Hemmschwelle. This refers specifically to an inner, psychological hurdle. For instance, if you are too shy to speak German in public, that is a 'Hemmschwelle'. Die Schranke (barrier/gate), on the other hand, often implies a limit or a restriction, like 'in die Schranken weisen' (to put someone in their place). Die Hürde remains the best choice for a specific, surmountable challenge that is part of a larger process.

Die Sprachbarriere war eine große Hürde für die Integration.

In academic writing, you might encounter die Erschwernis (complication/aggravation), which is much more formal. In sports, you might hear das Hindernisrennen (steeplechase), which is slightly different from der Hürdenlauf (hurdling). By choosing the right word, you show that you understand the specific nature of the difficulty. Hürde is the most 'active' of these words—it invites action and jumping.

Summary Comparison: Hürde = Jump over. Hindernis = Get around. Barriere = Blocked path. Schranke = Limitation.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In ancient times, a 'Hürde' was literally a movable fence for sheep. This agricultural origin eventually evolved into the sports equipment and then the abstract metaphor we use today.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈhʏʁdə/

US /ˈhʏrdə/

The stress is on the first syllable: HÜR-de.

Rima com

Würde Bürde Gürtel (near rhyme) Hirte (near rhyme) Horde (near rhyme) Behörde Mörder (near rhyme) Pferde (near rhyme)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'ü' as 'u' (sounding like 'hur-de').
Confusing it with 'Horde' (sounding like 'hor-de').
Making the 'e' at the end too long (it should be a short schwa).
Over-pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r'.
Swapping the 'ü' for 'i' (sounding like 'hir-de').

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'hurdle'.

Escrita 3/5

Requires correct gender (die) and plural (Hürden) usage.

Expressão oral 4/5

The 'ü' sound and 'r' can be tricky for English natives.

Audição 2/5

Distinct sound, though can be confused with 'Horde' in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

das Problem laufen hoch groß über

Aprenda a seguir

überwinden das Hindernis scheitern bürokratisch abbauen

Avançado

die Hemmschwelle die Erschwernis die Schranke die Barrierefreiheit das Korrektiv

Gramática essencial

Feminine Nouns with -e ending

Die Hürde, die Lampe, die Reise.

Plural formation with -n

Die Hürde -> Die Hürden.

Preposition 'über' with Accusative for movement

Er springt über die Hürde.

Verb 'scheitern' + 'an' + Dative

Er scheitert an der Hürde.

Compound noun formation

Sprache + Hürde = Sprachhürde.

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Exemplos por nível

Die Hürde ist blau.

The hurdle is blue.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

Ist die Hürde hoch?

Is the hurdle high?

Question form with 'sein'.

Ich sehe eine Hürde.

I see a hurdle.

Accusative case: 'eine Hürde'.

Das ist meine Hürde.

That is my hurdle.

Possessive pronoun 'meine' (feminine).

Die Hürden sind da.

The hurdles are there.

Plural form 'die Hürden'.

Spring über die Hürde!

Jump over the hurdle!

Imperative with preposition 'über' + accusative.

Eine Hürde ist schwer.

A hurdle is difficult/heavy.

Indefinite article 'eine'.

Wo ist die Hürde?

Where is the hurdle?

Interrogative 'wo'.

Die erste Hürde war einfach.

The first hurdle was easy.

Ordinal number 'erste'.

Wir haben viele Hürden.

We have many hurdles.

Plural accusative with 'viele'.

Er läuft über die Hürde.

He runs over the hurdle.

Preposition 'über' indicates movement.

Die Hürde ist zu groß für mich.

The hurdle is too big for me.

Adverb 'zu' (too) + adjective.

Kanst du die Hürde sehen?

Can you see the hurdle?

Modal verb 'können'.

Ich mag diese Hürde nicht.

I don't like this hurdle.

Demonstrative 'diese'.

Die Hürde steht im Weg.

The hurdle is in the way.

Dative case after 'in' (position).

Sie braucht Hilfe bei der Hürde.

She needs help with the hurdle.

Dative after 'bei'.

Wir müssen diese bürokratische Hürde überwinden.

We must overcome this bureaucratic hurdle.

Modal verb + infinitive at the end.

Die größte Hürde ist das Geld.

The biggest hurdle is the money.

Superlative 'größte'.

Hast du die Hürde schon genommen?

Have you already cleared the hurdle?

Perfect tense with 'haben' and 'genommen'.

Es gibt viele Hürden im Berufsleben.

There are many hurdles in professional life.

Phrase 'es gibt' + accusative.

Die Prüfung war eine echte Hürde.

The exam was a real hurdle.

Noun as a complement to 'sein'.

Ohne Fleiß kann man keine Hürde nehmen.

Without diligence, one cannot clear any hurdle.

Preposition 'ohne' + accusative.

Ich stehe vor einer schwierigen Hürde.

I am standing before a difficult hurdle.

Preposition 'vor' + dative for location.

Die Sprache ist die erste Hürde im Ausland.

Language is the first hurdle abroad.

Genitive/Dative context implied.

Die Fünf-Prozent-Hürde ist entscheidend für kleine Parteien.

The 5% hurdle is decisive for small parties.

Compound noun.

Man sollte bürokratische Hürden abbauen.

One should reduce bureaucratic hurdles.

Separable verb 'abbauen' in infinitive.

Die Hürden für eine Firmengründung sind in Deutschland hoch.

The hurdles for starting a company are high in Germany.

Prepositional phrase 'für eine Firmengründung'.

Er scheiterte an der letzten Hürde vor dem Ziel.

He failed at the last hurdle before the finish.

Verb 'scheitern' + 'an' + dative.

Das Projekt scheiterte an finanziellen Hürden.

The project failed because of financial hurdles.

Adjective ending in dative plural.

Wir suchen nach Wegen, diese Hürden zu umgehen.

We are looking for ways to bypass these hurdles.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

Die soziale Hürde ist oft unsichtbar.

The social hurdle is often invisible.

Adjective 'sozial'.

Jede Hürde macht uns stärker.

Every hurdle makes us stronger.

Determiner 'jede' (feminine singular).

Die regulatorischen Hürden erschweren den Markteintritt.

The regulatory hurdles make market entry more difficult.

Complex subject and transitive verb.

Es gilt, die Hürden für Bildungsgerechtigkeit zu senken.

It is necessary to lower the hurdles for educational equity.

Fixed expression 'Es gilt, ... zu'.

Die psychologische Hürde, um Hilfe zu bitten, ist oft am größten.

The psychological hurdle to ask for help is often the greatest.

Appositive infinitive clause.

Trotz aller Hürden gelang der Durchbruch in der Forschung.

Despite all hurdles, the breakthrough in research succeeded.

Preposition 'trotz' + genitive.

Die Hürden für den Zugang zum Arbeitsmarkt müssen abgebaut werden.

The hurdles for access to the labor market must be dismantled.

Passive voice with modal verb.

Oft sind es die kleinen Hürden, die den Fortschritt bremsen.

Often it is the small hurdles that slow down progress.

Relative clause.

Die Hürde der Anerkennung ausländischer Abschlüsse bleibt bestehen.

The hurdle of recognizing foreign degrees remains.

Genitive attribute.

Wir müssen die Hürden in unseren Köpfen überwinden.

We must overcome the hurdles in our minds.

Metaphorical usage.

Die Fünf-Prozent-Hürde fungiert als Korrektiv gegen die Zersplitterung des Parteienspektrums.

The 5% hurdle functions as a corrective against the fragmentation of the party spectrum.

Highly academic terminology.

Hürden sind immanente Bestandteile jedes kompetitiven Systems.

Hurdles are immanent components of every competitive system.

Philosophical register.

Die Überwindung technologischer Hürden erfordert immense Investitionen.

Overcoming technological hurdles requires immense investment.

Nominalization of the verb 'überwinden'.

Es ist eine ethische Hürde, die wir nicht leichtfertig überspringen sollten.

It is an ethical hurdle that we should not jump over lightly.

Subjunctive II 'sollten'.

Die Hürde der Sprachlosigkeit zwischen den Generationen wächst.

The hurdle of speechlessness between generations is growing.

Abstract genitive construction.

In der Literatur symbolisiert die Hürde oft die Initiation des Helden.

In literature, the hurdle often symbolizes the hero's initiation.

Literary analysis context.

Man darf die Hürden des Alltags nicht unterschätzen.

One must not underestimate the hurdles of everyday life.

Generic 'man'.

Die Hürde dient hier als Metapher für die menschliche Endlichkeit.

The hurdle serves here as a metaphor for human finitude.

Academic 'dienen als'.

Colocações comuns

eine Hürde nehmen

eine Hürde überwinden

bürokratische Hürden

die Fünf-Prozent-Hürde

vor einer Hürde stehen

Hürden abbauen

eine unüberwindbare Hürde

die erste Hürde

finanzielle Hürden

Hürden beseitigen

Frases Comuns

Die Hürden sind hoch gesteckt.

— The expectations or requirements are very high.

Für diesen Job sind die Hürden hoch gesteckt.

An einer Hürde scheitern.

— To fail because of a specific obstacle.

Er scheiterte an der letzten Hürde.

Keine Hürde sein.

— To not be a problem or barrier.

Das Geld ist für ihn keine Hürde.

Die Hürde des Alltags.

— The small difficulties of daily life.

Er kämpft mit den Hürden des Alltags.

Hürden für den Markteintritt.

— Barriers preventing a company from entering a market.

Die Hürden für den Markteintritt sind enorm.

Eine Hürde überspringen.

— To jump over a hurdle (literal or figurative).

Sie übersprang die Hürde mit Leichtigkeit.

Die letzte Hürde.

— The final obstacle before success.

Die Unterschrift ist die letzte Hürde.

Sprachliche Hürden.

— Difficulties caused by language barriers.

Sprachliche Hürden erschweren die Arbeit.

Soziale Hürden.

— Barriers caused by social status or class.

Es gibt viele soziale Hürden in der Schule.

Die Hürde nehmen müssen.

— To be forced to overcome an obstacle.

Jeder muss diese Hürde nehmen.

Frequentemente confundido com

die Hürde vs die Horde

Means a 'horde' or 'crowd'. Sounds similar but unrelated.

die Hürde vs der Hirte

Means 'shepherd'. Similar vowel sounds can confuse beginners.

die Hürde vs die Bürde

Means 'burden'. While a burden is heavy, a hurdle is something you jump over.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Über jede Hürde springen."

— To be very ambitious or to tackle every problem head-on.

Er springt über jede Hürde, die man ihm stellt.

Colloquial

"Die Hürden zu hoch hängen."

— To set goals that are too difficult to achieve.

Häng die Hürden nicht zu hoch für die Kinder.

Neutral

"An der Fünf-Prozent-Hürde hängen bleiben."

— To fail specifically at the 5% mark in elections.

Die FDP blieb an der Hürde hängen.

Journalistic

"Keine Hürde ist zu hoch."

— Nothing is impossible with enough effort.

Für ein motiviertes Team ist keine Hürde zu hoch.

Inspirational

"Sich selbst Hürden in den Weg legen."

— To make things difficult for oneself.

Hör auf, dir selbst Hürden in den Weg zu legen!

Neutral

"Die Hürden des Schicksals."

— The obstacles that life/fate puts in one's path.

Sie hat alle Hürden des Schicksals gemeistert.

Literary

"Über die eigenen Hürden springen."

— To overcome one's own limitations or fears.

Manchmal muss man über die eigenen Hürden springen.

Psychological

"Hürdenlauf durch die Instanzen."

— A long, difficult process through various official levels.

Der Bauantrag war ein Hürdenlauf durch die Instanzen.

Administrative

"Die Hürde ist genommen."

— The hardest part is over.

Die erste Hürde ist genommen, jetzt wird es leichter.

Neutral

"An jeder Hürde hängenbleiben."

— To struggle with every single small problem.

Er bleibt an jeder Hürde hängen und kommt nicht voran.

Informal

Fácil de confundir

die Hürde vs Hindernis

Both mean obstacle.

Hindernis is a general block; Hürde is specifically something you jump over or a requirement to pass.

Ein Baum auf der Straße ist ein Hindernis, kein Hürde.

die Hürde vs Barriere

Both mean barrier.

Barriere is often a physical wall or a systemic block (like social class).

Eine Schallmauer ist eine Barriere.

die Hürde vs Schranke

Both can mean limit/barrier.

Schranke is often a physical gate (like at a railway crossing) or a legal limit.

Die Schranke am Bahnübergang ist geschlossen.

die Hürde vs Erschwernis

Both mean difficulty.

Erschwernis is a formal term for a factor that makes a task harder.

Die Dunkelheit war eine Erschwernis bei der Suche.

die Hürde vs Problem

Generic term for difficulty.

Problem is the broadest term; Hürde implies a specific stage in a process.

Mathe ist ein Problem, die Prüfung ist die Hürde.

Padrões de frases

Die [Hürde] ist [Adjektiv].

Die Hürde ist hoch.

Ich habe eine [Hürde].

Ich habe eine Hürde beim Lernen.

Wir müssen die [Hürde] [überwinden].

Wir müssen die Hürde überwinden.

Er scheiterte an der [Hürde].

Er scheiterte an der Hürde.

Es gilt, die [Hürden] [abzubauen].

Es gilt, die Hürden abzubauen.

Die [Hürde] fungiert als [Nomen].

Die Hürde fungiert als Filter.

Trotz der [Hürde] ...

Trotz der Hürde habe ich es geschafft.

Die [Hürde] nehmen.

Sie hat die erste Hürde genommen.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

der Hürdenlauf

der Hürdensprinter

die Hürdennahme

die Einstiegshürde

die Altershürde

Verbos

hürden (rare, sports context)

Adjetivos

hürdenreich

hürdenlos

Relacionado

das Hindernis

der Sprung

die Barriere

die Schwierigkeit

das Rennen

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

Common in news, sports, and business; less common in very casual street slang.

Erros comuns

der Hürde → die Hürde
Hürde is feminine. Using 'der' is a common gender error.
Hürden lösen → Hürden überwinden
You solve problems, but you overcome hurdles. The verb 'lösen' doesn't collocate with 'Hürde'.
die Horde → die Hürde
Confusing 'Horde' (crowd) with 'Hürde' (obstacle) due to similar spelling.
den Hürde nehmen → die Hürde nehmen
In the accusative case, feminine nouns stay 'die'. 'Den' is only for masculine.
Hürden machen → Hürden aufstellen / überwinden
Saying 'to make a hurdle' is vague. Use 'aufstellen' for creating one or 'überwinden' for beating one.

Dicas

Gender Memory

Remember that most German nouns ending in -e are feminine. 'Die Hürde' fits this rule perfectly.

Verb Pairing

Always learn 'Hürde' together with the verb 'überwinden'. This makes your German sound much more fluent.

Politics

If you want to impress Germans, mention the 'Fünf-Prozent-Hürde' when talking about elections.

The 'ü' Sound

Don't rush the vowel. A clear 'ü' distinguishes 'Hürde' from 'Horde'.

Compound Nouns

You can create your own compound nouns like 'Testhürde' or 'Geldhürde'—German is very flexible!

News Keywords

When you hear 'Hürde' in the news, it's almost always about a new law or an election result.

Encouragement

Tell your friends 'Das ist keine Hürde für dich!' to encourage them. It means 'You can do this easily!'

Cognates

Use your English knowledge! Hurdle and Hürde are cousins. They look and mean the same thing.

Active Language

Use 'die Hürde nehmen' to describe your successes. it sounds more active than just 'succeeding'.

Business German

In meetings, use 'Hürden abbauen' when discussing how to make work easier. It sounds professional.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'Hurdle' in English. It sounds almost identical. Imagine yourself 'Hurling' yourself over a 'Hürde'.

Associação visual

Visualize a bright red track and field hurdle. Now, imagine a giant stamp on it that says 'BÜROKRATIE'. You have to jump over it to get your German visa.

Word Web

Sport Hindernis Problem Überwinden Nehmen Bürokratie Prüfung Erfolg

Desafio

Write down three 'Hürden' you have faced this week and use the verb 'überwinden' to describe how you solved them.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Middle High German 'hurde' and Old High German 'hurd', meaning wickerwork or a frame made of woven branches.

Significado original: Originally referred to a portable fence or screen made of woven sticks, used for pens or protection.

Germanic; related to the English word 'hurdle'.

Contexto cultural

No major sensitivities, but be careful when discussing 'Hürden' for marginalized groups to remain respectful of the difficulty.

The English 'hurdle' is used almost identically, making it a very easy cognate for English speakers to master.

The 1954 5% hurdle law in Germany. Olympic hurdlers like Karsten Warholm (though Norwegian, famous in German sports media). The metaphor of the 'gläserne Hürde' (glass hurdle/ceiling).

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Sports

Hürdenlauf
die Hürden nehmen
Hürdensprinter
über die Hürde springen

Politics

Fünf-Prozent-Hürde
an der Hürde scheitern
Wahlhürde
parlamentarische Hürden

Business

Einstiegshürden
bürokratische Hürden
Hürden abbauen
finanzielle Hürden

Education

Zulassungshürden
die Hürde der Prüfung
Lernhürden
Sprachhürden

Personal Life

eine Hürde meistern
vor Hürden stehen
Hürden des Alltags
innere Hürden

Iniciadores de conversa

"Was war die größte Hürde, die du beim Deutschlernen überwinden musstest?"

"Glaubst du, dass bürokratische Hürden in deinem Land zu hoch sind?"

"Wie fühlst du dich, wenn du eine schwierige Hürde erfolgreich genommen hast?"

"Welche Hürden stehen dir momentan in deinem Beruf im Weg?"

"Ist die Fünf-Prozent-Hürde in der Politik deiner Meinung nach sinnvoll?"

Temas para diário

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du an einer Hürde gescheitert bist. Was hast du daraus gelernt?

Welche Hürden möchtest du im nächsten Jahr überwinden? Erstelle einen Plan.

Reflektiere über die 'Hürden in deinem Kopf'. Welche Ängste blockieren dich?

Schreibe über die Unterschiede zwischen bürokratischen Hürden in Deutschland und deinem Heimatland.

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Hürdensprinter. Beschreibe das Gefühl des Rennens metaphorisch für dein Leben.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, it is very common in figurative speech. In fact, you will hear it more often in news and business contexts than in sports today. It describes any obstacle you need to overcome.

It is a German election law. A political party must receive at least 5% of the votes to get seats in the parliament. It's a very famous use of the word.

No, that sounds wrong. You 'solve' a problem (ein Problem lösen), but you 'overcome' or 'take' a hurdle (eine Hürde überwinden/nehmen).

The plural is 'die Hürden'. You just add an 'n' to the singular form.

It is feminine: 'die Hürde'. This is important for adjective endings and articles.

Shape your lips as if you are going to say 'oo' (as in 'mood'), but try to say 'ee' instead. That is the German 'ü'.

It's a compound word meaning 'language hurdle'. It refers to the difficulty of communicating when you don't speak a language well.

No, it's not used to describe a person, but rather a situation or a physical object. You wouldn't call a person a hurdle.

'Überwinden' (overcome) and 'nehmen' (take/clear) are the two most common and natural-sounding verbs.

Yes, it is typically introduced at the B1 level when students start discussing more abstract topics like career, politics, and social issues.

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