At the train station. Absolute Beginner #06

At the train station. Absolute Beginner #06Show Podcast Information
Welcome to a German train-station! We're at a „Bahnhof“ today,
talking about different words you might need there. First of all,
you need to check the „Fahrplan“, that's the schedule of the
trains. Fahrplan. On this „Fahrplan“, there are two categories:
Trains arriving and trains leaving the station. The arrival is
called „Ankunft“, the departure is called „Abfahrt“. Ankunft and
Abfahrt. On this schedule you look for the train you want to take.
You check the time it is leaving – the „Abfahrtszeit“. Zeit is the
time, Abfahrt the departure. So the time of departure.
Abfahrts-Zeit. The next information you need is the right track, so
you can find your train. The track is called „Gleis“. So maybe your
train to Berlin is „auf Gleis 4“. On track 4. Auf Gleis 4. Let's
say there is no schedule and you have to ask somebody. Then you can
say: „Entschuldigung“, to catch their attention. Entschuldigung. It
essentially means „sorry“ or „excuse me“. Then you can ask: Where
do I find the next train to Berlin? „Wo finde ich den nächsten Zug
nach Berlin?“ Or you go to a ticket booth and say: I need a ticket
to Berlin, please. „Ich brauche bitte eine Fahrkarte nach Berlin.“
The person then will maybe ask: „Einfache Fahrt oder hin und
zurück?“, meaning do you need a single ticket or a return ticket?
So you say: „Einfache Fahrt, bitte.“ or „Hin und zurück, bitte“.
Maybe they also ask if you want to travel first class or second.
„Erste Klasse oder zweite?“ Most of the time you answer „Zweite
Klasse, bitte“, but sometimes first class is cheaper than second!
Don't ask me why... The next question is: „Soll ich einen Sitzplatz
für Sie reservieren?“ The „Sitzplatz“ is simply the seat. You can
make a reservation for a certain seat on the train. This costs
extra, but it guarantees you have a seat – when it's crowded you
sometimes will need to stand the whole way. You can decide if you
want a seat on the aisle or at the window – it's a „Fensterplatz“
near the window, „am Gang“ near the aisle. You can also choose
between „im Großraumwagen“ or „im Abteil“ on certain trains. The
„Großraumwagen“ is just one long carriage with seats, like a bus.
Other areas of the train are compartmentalized, „Abteile“. If you
have your ticket, your „Fahrkarte“, you run to catch your train. At
least that's what I always have to do. You look for the right
carriage number, the „Wagennummer“, and jump in. When the train has
departed, the „Schaffner“ will come and will want to see your
ticket. Sometimes the train is delayed, it has „Verspätung“. Relax
– there's nothing you can do about it. Have a safe trip! Gute
Fahrt!?