berlin wall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-medium in general discourse; high in historical/political contexts.Formal, historical, political, journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “berlin wall” mean?
A fortified concrete and barbed-wire barrier erected by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in 1961 to separate East Berlin from West Berlin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fortified concrete and barbed-wire barrier erected by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in 1961 to separate East Berlin from West Berlin.
Any physical or symbolic barrier that separates people, ideologies, or political systems; a potent metaphor for division, oppression, and the Cold War.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms may vary (e.g., 'Berliner' vs. 'Berliner' is identical).
Connotations
Identical strong historical/political connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in European media/educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “berlin wall” in a Sentence
the Berlin Wall + verb (fell, stood, divided)preposition + the Berlin Wall (across, over, behind)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “berlin wall” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regime sought to *Berlin-Wall* its citizens from Western influences. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- They tried to *Berlin Wall* the opposition's ideas. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The country was divided, quite *Berlin-Wall*-like. (rare)
American English
- They were separated, almost *Berlin Wall*-ishly. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The post-*Berlin-Wall* era saw rapid expansion.
- He lived in a *Berlin-Wall*-era flat.
American English
- The post-*Berlin Wall* world was fundamentally changed.
- It was a *Berlin Wall*-style division.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor for a major obstacle to market entry or communication: 'We faced a Berlin Wall of regulations.'
Academic
Central topic in Cold War history, political science, and sociology.
Everyday
Used to describe any seemingly insurmountable division or obstacle.
Technical
Specific reference in historical architecture, military history, and geopolitics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “berlin wall”
- Using lowercase ('berlin wall').
- Referring to it as existing post-1989.
- Confusing it with the Inner German border ('Innerdeutsche Grenze').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. It surrounded West Berlin, which was inside East Germany, separating it from East Berlin and the rest of East Germany.
Yes, it is commonly used as a metaphor for any major, seemingly insurmountable division or barrier, e.g., 'a Berlin Wall of silence.'
Yes, this is the standard metaphorical phrase describing its opening and subsequent dismantling in 1989, though it was physically broken through and torn down by people.
From its construction in 1961 until its effective fall in 1989, it stood for 28 years.
A fortified concrete and barbed-wire barrier erected by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in 1961 to separate East Berlin from West Berlin.
Berlin wall is usually formal, historical, political, journalistic. in register.
Berlin wall: in British English it is pronounced /bɜːˌlɪn ˈwɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /bərˌlɪn ˈwɔːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Berlin Wall of bureaucracy”
- “To hit a Berlin Wall”
- “Walls come tumbling down (inspired by)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BERLIN – where a WALL was built to keep people IN. (BERlin WALL = BER-IN WALL).
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVISION IS A WALL; OPPRESSION IS A WALL; FREEDOM IS THE DESTRUCTION OF A WALL.
Practice
Quiz
When did the Berlin Wall cease to function as a barrier?