gute Reise
gute Reise is the German phrase for "good trip".
gute Reise is used to wish someone a pleasant journey. While it refers to the journey itself, you might choose different phrases depending on the mode of transport or the purpose of the travel. For example, if someone is traveling by car or train, Gute Fahrt is a common alternative. If the person is traveling specifically for a holiday, you might say Schönen Urlaub instead.
Which one should you use?
gute Reise refers to the journey itself. In contrast, Schönen Urlaub is used if the person is traveling for a vacation. Additionally, Gute Fahrt is often used specifically when someone is traveling by car or train.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swiss-German, a variation of this phrase is En gueti Reis!
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase gute Reise uses the feminine nominative/accusative adjective ending -e because Reise is a feminine noun. Note that if you are wishing someone a good flight specifically, you use guten Flug. The -en ending is used there because Flug is a masculine noun in the accusative case.
When do people say it?
When someone says Gute Reise! to you, and you are also traveling, a common way to respond is Danke, ebenso! (Thanks, likewise!).
Did you know?
- The German language has a unique word Fernweh, which describes a 'longing for far-off places'. It is the opposite of homesickness and is the emotional drive that leads someone to start a Reise.
- The word Reise shares an ancient root with the English word 'rise', from a Proto-West Germanic origin meaning 'to move' or 'to stir'.
- In Germany, wishing someone a gute Reise can sometimes be seen as a bit formal. In casual settings, friends might simply say Schönen Trip!, adopting the English word 'trip' as a loanword.
Examples in context
- Wie geht's dir? Hattest du eine gute Reise?How are you? Did you have a good trip?This sentence shows how to ask if someone had a good trip using gute Reise.Tatoeba #521 by MUIRIEL, translation #1716 by CK
- Gute Reise!Have a good trip!This sentence provides a direct way to wish someone a good trip using gute Reise.Tatoeba #340916 by MUIRIEL, translation #1104795 by rul
- Ich wünsche Ihnen eine fantastische Zeit in (destination) und eine erfolgreiche Geschäftsreise!I wish you a fantastic time in (destination) and a successful business trip!
- Genießen Sie jede Minute Ihrer Reise!Enjoy every minute of your trip!
- Ich wünsche dir eine gute Reise!I wish you a good trip!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas is at the train station seeing Hannah off.
- LukasDer Zug fährt gleich ab.The train is leaving soon.
- HannahJa, ich muss jetzt los.Yes, I have to go now.
- LukasGute Reise, Hannah!Good trip, Hannah!
- HannahDanke, Lukas!Thanks, Lukas!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Reise, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
