Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grube | /ˈɡʁuːbə/ | feminine |
| Loch | /lɔx/ | neuter |
| Vertiefung | /ferˈtiːfʊŋ/ | feminine |
In German, different words are used depending on whether you are describing a man-made excavation, a general hole or a technical geological feature. Grube is the standard term for an intentional or man-made pit, such as a grave or a construction pit. For a deep pit or shaft, such as a well, use Der Schacht. For geological features like those found on the moon or in volcanic eruptions, the formal term is Der Krater.
Which one should you use?
Grube is the standard term for a larger, intentional excavation like a trench or a grave. In contrast, Loch is a more colloquial and general term used for any hole, often referring to small holes in objects or the ground. If you are speaking in a technical or geographical context to describe a hollow or a dip in a surface, use Vertiefung.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Grube is Gruben. The plural of Loch is Löcher, and the plural of Vertiefung is Vertiefungen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡʁuːbə/
Did you know?
- The German word Grube is actually a linguistic relative of the English word 'groove'. They both share a common ancestor that refers to a long, narrow depression or furrow in the ground.
- German has a specific term Bergbaugrube to distinguish a mining pit from a simple hole in the ground.
Examples in context
- Ich grub eine Grube.I dug a pit.This sentence shows the use of Grube to describe digging a pit.Tatoeba #13634802 by Naina, translation #507271 by CM
- Wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein.Those who dig a pit for others will be caught in it themselves.This sentence uses Grube in a proverbial context regarding a pit dug for others.Tatoeba #442765 by Espi, translation #4990335 by AlanF_US
- Statt dem Feind eine Grube zu graben, bau dem Freund ein Haus.Instead of digging a pit for your enemy, you should build your friend a house.This sentence provides a moral comparison using the word Grube.Tatoeba #5369163 by Esperantostern, translation #5370739 by Sauerkraut
- Die Grube wurde ausgehobenThe pit was excavated
- Das Loch sollte umgehend geschlossen werdenThe pit should be closed immediately
- Wir haben eine Grube gegrabenWe dug a pit
- Vorsicht vor dem Loch!Watch out for the pit!
- Wir müssen den Schacht abdeckenWe need to cover the pit
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are gardening in the backyard.
- LukasSarah, pass auf! Da ist eine Grube.Sarah, watch out! There is a pit there.
- SarahOh, danke! Ich habe die Grube nicht gesehen.Oh, thanks! I didn't see the pit.
- LukasSoll ich die Grube mit Erde füllen?Should I fill the pit with soil?
- SarahJa, bitte mach das schnell.Yes, please do that quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pit” translations and entries Grube, Loch, Vertiefung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Grube, Loch, Vertiefung, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
