English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

fathom in German

fathom in German is Klafter, Faden, begreifen — fathom means a unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 metres), traditionally used to measure the depth of water.

fathom in German

Klafter
noun
(chiefly, nautical, historical, US) A man's armspan, generally reckoned to be six feet (about 1.8 metres). Later used to measure the depth of water, but now generally replaced by the metre outside American usage.
Faden
noun
(chiefly, nautical, historical, US) A man's armspan, generally reckoned to be six feet (about 1.8 metres). Later used to measure the depth of water, but now generally replaced by the metre outside American usage.
begreifen
verb
(archaic, or, obsolete) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.
ergründen
verb
(archaic, or, obsolete) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.
umarmen
verb
(archaic, or, obsolete) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.
verstehen
verb
(archaic, or, obsolete) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something.
begreifen
verb
(figurative) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of.
ergründen
verb
(figurative) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of.
verstehen
verb
(figurative) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of.
loten
verb
(also, figurative) To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.
ausloten
verb
(also, figurative) To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.
sondieren
verb
(also, figurative) To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound.

What does "fathom" mean?

  1. noun A unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 metres), traditionally used to measure the depth of water.
    "The wreck lies at a depth of about forty fathoms."
  2. verb To understand something fully, especially something puzzling or complicated.
    "I still can't fathom why he quit such a great job."

fathom in a sentence

  • The wreck lies at a depth of about forty fathoms.
  • I still can't fathom why he quit such a great job.
  • She tried to fathom the meaning behind his cryptic message.

Similar words in German

Common German translations

Frequently asked questions

What is "fathom" in German?

"fathom" in German is Klafter, Faden, begreifen. fathom means: A unit of length equal to six feet (about 1.8 metres), traditionally used to measure the depth of water.

How do you use "fathom" in a sentence?

Example: "The wreck lies at a depth of about forty fathoms." In German, "fathom" is Klafter, Faden, begreifen.

Are there other ways to say "fathom" in German?

Yes — German has 9 translations listed for "fathom": Klafter, Faden, begreifen, ergründen, umarmen, verstehen.

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Translations from WikDict, CC BY-SA · example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR.