noun
distance, detachment
B1
Distanz: feminine noun meaning 'distance' (physical space or measurement) and 'detachment' (emotional or social aloofness). Plural Distanzen follows regular declension. Common collocations: 'Distanz zu jemandem' or verbs like 'Distanz wahren'/'Abstand halten'. Used both in literal and figurative senses.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Zwischen ihnen entstand nach dem Streit eine spürbare Distanz.
After the argument, there was a noticeable emotional detachment between them.
Der Arzt empfahl Distanz, weil sich die Infektion sonst schneller ausbreitete.
The doctor recommended keeping distance because the infection would otherwise have spread more quickly.
Die Distanz zwischen den beiden Städten beträgt 50 Kilometer.
The distance between the two cities is 50 kilometers.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a measuring tape stretching out to show the space between two people.
Sounds like English 'distance'.
Die Distanz — imagine a woman ('die') stepping back to keep her distance.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Distanz is often used both for physical distance and emotional detachment; a common near-synonym is 'Abstand' (which often emphasizes physical space).