die Schranke
Translation
barrier, gate, limit, boundary
Examples
Die Schranke am Bahnübergang ist unten.
The gate at the railroad crossing is down.
Man muss seine eigenen Schranken überwinden.
You have to overcome your own limitations.
Wir müssen dem Missbrauch Schranken setzen.
We have to set limits on the abuse.
Grammar Patterns
die Schranke (literal) the barrier, the gate The gate is closed.
die Schranken (figurative) the limits, boundaries He knows no limits.
((sth.dat)) Schranken setzen to set limits on sth. We must set limits on this behavior.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Barriere, Hindernis, Grenze, Hürde
Etymology
From the same root as 'Schrank' (closet), initially referring to a beam or bar that blocks something.
Memory Tips
Imagine a 'crank' that lowers a gate or barrier. This 'Schranke' can be a physical gate or a metaphorical limit.