durch

Durch is a common German preposition and also a productive prefix in many verbs. As a preposition, it primarily denotes movement through or across a space, but it can also express means, manner, or temporal extent. The word translates to through, via, or by means of, and in many idioms it conveys thoroughness or continuity. Historically, it derives from Old High German durh and Proto-Germanic *durkh-. In all uses, durch governs the accusative case.

As a preposition, durch answers questions of where or how something happens. Spatial uses include durch den Wald (through the forest) or durch das Fenster (through the window). It can denote passage via a route or medium, as in durch den Tunnel fahren or durch das Internet kommunizieren. Temporal or extent meanings appear in phrases like durch den ganzen Tag arbeiten (to work through the whole day) or durch die Nacht hindurch. Common idioms include durch Zufall (by chance) and durch und durch (thoroughly, completely), the latter often used with adjectives such as nass oder geschützt.

As a prefix, durch- forms many compound verbs that emphasize thoroughness or complete passage. The prefix can be separable or inseparable depending on the verb. Separable examples include durchlaufen (to run through) and durchfahren (to drive through), where the prefix splits in main-clause position. Inseparable examples include durchführen (to carry out) and durchsetzen (to enforce or push through). The nuance shifts with the verb: durcharbeiten (to work/ study through something) implies detailed, comprehensive processing, while durchbrechen (to break through) emphasizes overcoming an obstacle.

See also: overview of German prepositions, list of durch- verbs, and examples of accusative governance.