durchdrungen

Durchdrungen is the past participle of the German verb durchdringen, meaning to penetrate through or to permeate. As an adjective, it denotes that something is permeated, saturated, or deeply infused by a quality, influence, or substance. The sense can be literal (a room or wall penetrated by water) or figurative (a person or work filled with emotion, doubt, or conviction). Etymologically, it combines durch- “through” with dringen “to push through, to penetrate,” and is common in both everyday and literary German.

Usage and forms: In predicative constructions, it often appears with forms of sein, as in Der Raum ist vom Staub durchdrungen or Die Stadt war von Nacht durchdrungen. In attributive position, it inflects like a normal adjective: ein durchdrungenes Herz, eine durchdrungene Seele, die durchdrungenen Herzen (plural). The phrase von + Dativ or durch + Dativ can indicate the source of the permeation, as in von Zweifel durchdrungen or durchdrungen von Melancholie.

Translations and nuance: Common English renderings are permeated, pervaded, saturated, suffused, or penetrated. The choice depends on context, ranging from physical permeation to a deep, pervasive influence or mood. Related terms include die Durchdringung (the act or state of permeation), durchdringend (penetrating, piercing), and related noun forms.

Context and usage notes: Durchdrungen is primarily literary or formal, often appearing in poetry, philosophical prose, or descriptive narration. It conveys a sense of completeness or total influence, rather than a superficial touch, and is commonly paired with abstract nouns like Zweifel, Melancholie, or Überzeugung.