German · Travel & Getting Around

"Border" in German: Grenze

die Grenze

Say it: GREN-tsuhfeminine · die Grenzenoun/ˈɡʁɛnt͡sə/

Border in German is die Grenze. Say an der Grenze or über die Grenze fahren. A border crossing is oft der Grenzübergang.

Road trip

In einer Stunde sind wir an der Grenze.
In an hour we'll be at the border.
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How to pronounce Grenze

Say it

GREN-tsuh

/ˈɡʁɛnt͡sə/

GREN-tsuh. Soft e as in get. Soft z as ts. Soft final e.

"Border" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
die Grenzethe border

Main noun.

an der Grenzeat the border

Location.

über die Grenzeacross the border

Crossing.

der Grenzübergangborder crossing

Checkpoint.

How to use Grenze in real life

  1. 1Road trip

    In einer Stunde sind wir an der Grenze.

    In an hour we'll be at the border.

    An der Grenze.

  2. 2Passport check

    Haltet den Pass bereit an der Grenze.

    Keep your passport ready at the border.

    An der Grenze.

  3. 3News chat

    Die Grenze war heute Morgen sehr voll.

    The border was very busy this morning.

    Die Grenze as subject.

Mistakes English speakers make with Grenze

Incorrect: der Grenze

Correct: die Grenze

Grenze is feminine: die.

Incorrect: die Border

Correct: die Grenze

Use Grenze, not English border.

Good to know

Within Schengen, many land borders feel invisible, but Grenze still matters for non-Schengen trips and controls. Signs say Grenze or Zoll; keep documents handy even when the booth looks empty.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Approaching a crossing by car

  1. ChatPal

    Liegt mein Pass noch im Handschuhfach? Wir sind nah an der Grenze.

    Is my passport still in the glove box? We're near the border.

  2. You

    Ja. Die Grenze kommt nach dem nächsten Dorf.

    Yes. The border comes after the next village.

  3. ChatPal

    Brauchst du Bargeld für die Maut?

    Do you need cash for the toll?

  4. You

    Habe ich. Nach der Grenze tanken wir günstiger.

    I've got it. After the border we'll refuel cheaper.

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"Border" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Border" in German

How do you say border?

Die Grenze.

At the border?

An der Grenze.

Gender?

Feminine: die Grenze.

Border crossing?

Der Grenzübergang.

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