dort
/dɔʁt/
The German phrase for "over there" is dort. Wiktionary also lists drüben and dort drüben.
Meaning: in that place (adv)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| dort | /dɔʁt/ |
| drüben | /ˈdryːbən/ |
| dort drüben | /dɔʁt ˈdryːbən/ (word by word) |
The word dort translates to "there", while drüben refers to a position that is "over" or "across". You may also see the word da, which can mean "there" or "that".
Which one should you use?
While dort simply means "there", the phrase dort drüben combines the two to emphasize the distance or a specific location, functioning much like "right over there" in English.
How do you pronounce it?
/dɔʁt/
Did you know?
- During the division of Germany, the word drüben was frequently used as a coded way to refer to the 'other side' of the Berlin Wall.
- If you use drüben to describe a location, you are often implicitly suggesting there is an obstacle, like a river or a street, separating you from that place.
- The word drüben is formed from üben, a rare relative of über created to mirror the pattern of unter becoming unten and ober becoming oben.
Examples in context
- Es ist da drüben.It's just over there.This sentence shows how to use drüben to indicate a location.Tatoeba #6099710 by al_ex_an_der, translation #3635929 by CK
- Ihrs ist da drüben.Yours is over there.This sentence demonstrates the use of drüben.Tatoeba #2165442 by Vortarulo, translation #70864 by CK
- Was ist dort drüben?What is over there?This sentence shows how to use dort to ask about a location.Tatoeba #1343490 by Esperantostern, translation #25235 by CK
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte, ist das Büro dort drüben?Excuse me, is the office over there?
- Kannst du mir bitte den Stift da drüben geben?Can you pass me the pen over there?
- Die Party findet da hinten statt. Kommst du mit?The party is happening over there in the back. Are you coming?
- Ich glaube, dein Buch liegt dort hinten auf dem Regal.I think your book is over there on the shelf in the back.
- 315 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are looking for a pharmacy in the city.
- LauraIst die Apotheke dort?Is the pharmacy over there?
- MaximilianJa, das ist sie.Yes, that is it.
- LauraKönnen wir dort parken?Can we park over there?
- MaximilianNein, das ist verboten.No, that is forbidden.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “over there” translations and entries dort, drüben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dort, drüben) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dort, drüben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
