der Abgrund
Translation
abyss, chasm, precipice
Examples
Er stand am Rande des Abgrunds.
He stood at the edge of the abyss.
Das Land steht vor dem finanziellen Abgrund.
The country is facing a financial abyss.
Grammar Patterns
am Rande des Abgrunds stehen to stand on the brink of the abyss The company stood on the brink of financial abyss.
in den Abgrund blicken to look into the abyss He looked into the abyss without fear.
Similar Words
Synonyms: chasm, gulf, precipice; Antonyms: peak, summit
Etymology
From 'ab-' (down, away) + 'Grund' (ground, bottom). Literally 'away from the ground', implying a bottomless pit.
Memory Tips
Imagine the 'Grund' (ground) falling 'ab' (away) from under you, creating an abyss.