German course

Lesson 47 of 240

New here? This is lesson 47 of a free 240-lesson German course.

Start hereHow this works

The metro and a pass in German

Priya follows Anton onto the U1 at Görlitzer Bahnhof. His Deutschlandticket hangs on a cord, and for once he is facing the right way.

You'll name the pass, ask which line you need, and check the direction.

You'll also say when you have to change, when you get off, and how often the train runs.

The U-Bahn in Berlin has few gates. Keep the pass ready if a check comes.

By the end of this lesson

Ride the U-Bahn with a pass, name the line, and say when you change or get off.

  • Ich habe ein Deutschlandticket.I've got an all-Germany travel pass.
  • Welche Linie fährt nach ___?Which line goes to ___?
  • Ist das die richtige Richtung?Is this the right direction?
  • Ich muss umsteigen.I have to change.
  • Ich steige hier aus.I'm getting off here.
  • Wie oft fährt die Bahn?How often does the train run?

Scene — the U1 platform

The elevated U1 sits on the brick viaduct at Görlitzer Bahnhof. Priya follows Anton onto the platform.

His Deutschlandticket hangs on a cord over the linen shirt. Two pigeons wait by the edge. For once, the train faces the way they need.

Priya follows Anton onto the elevated platform as the train waits on the brick viaduct and pigeons linger nearby.

Learn — the pass and the line

Six short lines cover the pass, the line you need, and the right direction.

You'll also say when you change, when you get off, and how often the train runs.

  1. Anton lifts his travel pass by its cord while seated on a platform bench.

    Ich habe ein Deutschlandticket.

    I've got an all-Germany travel pass.

    When to use it: Say this when you ride with a Germany-wide pass.

    Learn it as one piece for the pass on the cord.

    Say it: Deutschlandticket puts the stress on the first syllable.

  2. Priya studies a route map and raises a hand as she considers which line to take.

    Welche Linie fährt nach ___?

    Which line goes to ___?

    When to use it: Ask this to find the line to a place.

    Learn it as one piece and fill in the place.

    Say it: The ä in fährt is a more open e.

  3. Priya checks the direction of the waiting train from the platform.

    Ist das die richtige Richtung?

    Is this the right direction?

    When to use it: Ask this before you ride, to check the way.

    Learn it as one piece to check you are going the right way.

    Say it: Richtung has the soft ch, as in ich.

  4. Priya pauses at the transfer stairs, turning toward the route to another platform.

    Ich muss umsteigen.

    I have to change.

    When to use it: Say this when you need another train.

    Learn it as one piece when you change trains.

  5. Priya steps down from the open train doorway onto the platform.

    Ich steige hier aus.

    I'm getting off here.

    When to use it: Say this when you leave the train at this stop.

    Learn it as one piece when this stop is yours.

    Say it: Steige starts with st, said like sht.

  6. Priya looks up toward the station timetable panel while asking how often the train runs.

    Wie oft fährt die Bahn?

    How often does the train run?

    When to use it: Ask this to learn the wait between trains.

    Learn it as one piece to ask about the wait.

Story — the right direction

Watch Priya follow Anton onto the U1. For once, he is in the right direction.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.

  1. The U1 waits on the brick viaduct. Anton's pass hangs on a cord.
  2. PriyaEntschuldigung.Excuse me.
  3. AntonIch habe ein Deutschlandticket.I've got an all-Germany travel pass.
  4. PriyaIch habe ein Deutschlandticket.I've got an all-Germany travel pass.
  5. They step in. For once, the train faces his way.
  6. PriyaWelche Linie fährt nach Hermannplatz?Which line goes to Hermannplatz?
  7. AntonDie U8.The U8.
  8. PriyaIst das die richtige Richtung?Is this the right direction?
  9. AntonJa, für mich.Yes, for me.
  10. PriyaWie oft fährt die Bahn?How often does the train run?
  11. AntonAlle fünf Minuten.Every five minutes.
  12. The doors open. People shift in the aisle.
  13. PriyaIch muss umsteigen.I have to change.
  14. PriyaIch steige hier aus.I'm getting off here.
  15. AntonTschüss.Bye.

Practice — change or get off

Eleven short tasks mix listening, gaps, swaps, and a line you build.

You'll also match meanings and answer from the platform.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    German

    Welche Linie fährt nach ___?Drop the English here
    Ist das die richtige Richtung?Drop the English here
    Ich muss umsteigen.Drop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its German, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You need to know which U-Bahn line goes to a place.

  4. Fill the gap

    I have to change.

    Ich muss ____.

  5. What does it mean?

    Wie oft fährt die Bahn?

  6. Swap the word

    You are on the platform and want to know if this way is right.

    Ist das die ____ Richtung?

  7. Swap the word

    This is your stop. You are leaving the train.

    Ich steige hier ____.

  8. What do you say?

    You need a moment of Anton's time on the platform.

  9. True or false?

    This asks which line you need.

  10. What do you say?

    You leave the train. Give Anton a short goodbye.

  11. Put the chat in order

    1. PriyaWhat comes first?
    2. Anton…
    3. Priya…
    4. Anton…

    Tap the line that comes next, or drag it into the chat.

Say it — say it on the train

Now you're Priya on the U1 with Anton. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. AntonIch habe ein Deutschlandticket.I've got an all-Germany travel pass.
  2. Priya (you)Tell him you have the same kind of pass.

    Ich habe ein Deutschlandticket.

    I've got an all-Germany travel pass.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

GermanEnglish
Ich habe ein Deutschlandticket.I've got an all-Germany travel pass.
Welche Linie fährt nach ___?Which line goes to ___?
Ist das die richtige Richtung?Is this the right direction?
Ich muss umsteigen.I have to change.
Ich steige hier aus.I'm getting off here.
Wie oft fährt die Bahn?How often does the train run?
Next: lesson 48Where I live

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep the U-Bahn lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps the pass and the stops ready.

Open Yak Cards