durchgezogen

Durchgezogen is a German term formed from the verb durchziehen, meaning to carry through, to push through to completion, or to draw through and maintain. It can function as a past participle or as an adjective in compound phrases. The core sense is that a plan, process, or action has been completed or sustained without giving up.

Etymology and grammar: The word combines the prefix durch- with ziehen (to pull, to draw). The finite forms separate the prefix in verbs (e.g., zieht … durch), while the past participle is durchgezogen. As an attributive adjective describing a noun, the form commonly appears as durchgezogene, for example in a durchgezogene Linie, meaning a solid line. This usage is prevalent in contexts such as road markings, diagrams, and charts.

Usage and examples: In everyday language, durchgezogen is used to describe actions that were carried out to the end. Examples include: Wir haben den Plan durchgezogen (we carried the plan through to the end). Die Umsetzung wurde trotz Widerständen durchgezogen. In technical or formal contexts, the associated adjective durchgezogene can describe continuous features, such as eine durchgezogene Linie on a map or road, indicating a line that is not interrupted.

Related terms: Similar expressions include durchführen (to implement), durchhalten (to persevere), and durchsetzen (to enforce). The concept also appears in phrases emphasizing thoroughness or consistency, such as etwas durchziehen with nuance of persistence or completeness.

See also: Durchziehen, Durchführung, Durchhaltevermögen.