Vergehen vs. verstreichen
The German words vergehen and verstreichen both refer to the passage of time but are used in slightly different contexts and with different nuances. Here's an explanation of their meanings and how to use them with examples to illustrate their differences.
Vergehen
A2Vergehen means to pass or to elapse and often describes the subjective experience of time passing, either quickly or slowly. It tends to emphasize the personal or emotional aspect of time passing.
Die Zeit vergeht so schnell, wenn man Spaß hat.
(Time passes so quickly when you're having fun.)
Im Stau vergeht jede Minute wie eine Ewigkeit.
(In a traffic jam, every minute feels like an eternity.)
Die Jahre vergingen ohne große Veränderungen.
(The years passed without much change.)
Verstreichen
B1Verstreichen also means to elapse or to pass, but it is more commonly used in an objective sense, often referring to time periods or deadlines in a factual, neutral way. It lacks the emotional or personal tone of vergehen.
Die Frist ist gestern verstrichen.
(The deadline expired yesterday.)
Zehn Minuten verstrichen, ohne dass etwas geschah.
(Ten minutes passed without anything happening.)
Ein weiteres Jahr ist ungenutzt verstrichen.
(Another year passed without being used.)
Summary
In summary, vergehen and verstreichen both describe the passage of time, but they differ in tone and usage. Vergehen focuses on the subjective or emotional perception of time (e.g., time feeling fast or slow), while verstreichen is more neutral and objective, often referring to specific timeframes or deadlines. Choose which word to use based on whether the passage of time is being experienced or simply stated as a fact.