abgegrenzen

Abgrenzen is a German verb meaning to delineate, set apart, or distinguish by drawing a boundary. It is a separable-prefix verb; in a main clause the prefix is separated, as in Ich grenze die Region vom Rest ab. The past participle is abgegrenzt, used with habe or ist to form perfect tenses: Ich habe die Region abgegrenzt. The related noun Abgrenzung refers to the act, process, or result of delimiting, or to the boundary itself.

Uses and senses

- Physical delimitation: to draw borders between areas, territories, or properties. Example: Die Grenzlinien wurden abgegrenzt. (The border lines have been delineated.)

- Social and conceptual delimitation: to differentiate between categories, groups, or ideas, or to set limits on behavior or roles. Example: Es ist wichtig, klare Abgrenzungen zwischen Beruf und Privatleben zu schaffen. (It is important to establish clear boundaries between work and private life.)

- Administrative and legal contexts: delimiting jurisdictions, responsibilities, or rights; terms like Abgrenzung der Kompetenzen appear in governance and policy discussions.

Etymology and related forms

The verb derives from ab- (away, off) + grenzen (to border). The noun Abgrenzung covers the act of delimiting as well as the resulting boundary. Related terms include Abgrenzung, Grenze, and Grenzverlauf.

See also

- Grenze

- Abgrenzung

- Grenzverlauf