Skip to content

einschränken

to qualify; to restrict; to limit

verb AIN-shren-ken Rare
Communication Expressions

Also means

to hedge; to add a caveat

Usage Note

Einschränken in a communicative context means to add a qualification or caveat to what one has just said: Ich muss das ein wenig einschränken ('I need to qualify that a little'). It is a key metalinguistic verb in debate and academic argumentation. The reflexive sich einschränken means 'to cut back/economise'.

Examples

"Ich würde das noch ein bisschen einschränken: nicht alle Fälle sind gleich."

Natural Translation

I would qualify that a little: not all cases are the same.

Literal Translation

I would that still a little qualify: not all cases are same.

Explore German by topic