Autobahn
[ˈʔaʊ̯toˌbaːn]
The German word for motorway is Autobahn. Wiktionary also lists Kraftfahrstraße.
Meaning: highway designed for high-speed motor-traffic (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| Autobahn | [ˈʔaʊ̯toˌbaːn] (narrow) |
| Kraftfahrstraße |
The term refers to a highway designed for high-speed motor traffic.
What does it mean word for word?
Autobahn is a compound word consisting of Auto (car) and Bahn (path, track or way).
Which one should you use?
While Autobahn is the common term for a high-speed motorway, Kraftfahrstraße is a more technical and legal term used to describe a road that is restricted to motorized vehicles.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Autobahn is Autobahnen. When expressing that you are driving 'on' the motorway, use the preposition auf followed by the dative feminine article der to form the phrase auf der Autobahn.
Did you know?
- The Autobahn is famous for its 'Raststätte', which are large service stations that often function as full-scale restaurants and shopping hubs rather than simple petrol stops.
- German road signs for the Autobahn are distinctively blue, whereas signs for federal roads and other highways are typically yellow.
- The term Bahn in Autobahn is the same root used for the German word for 'railway', Eisenbahn, suggesting the motorway was envisioned as a track for cars.
Examples in context
- Er fuhr auf der Autobahn.He drove on the motorway.This sentence demonstrates how to say someone drove on the motorway using Autobahn.Tatoeba #9177110 by Tepan, translation #10977131 by sundown
- Es ist Stau auf der Autobahn.There's a traffic jam on the motorway.This sentence shows how to report a traffic jam on the motorway using Autobahn.Tatoeba #7277074 by Yorwba, translation #8096864 by deniko
- Auf der Autobahn gibt es Stau.The motorway is snarled up.This sentence describes the motorway being snarled up using Autobahn.Tatoeba #11684480 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #241278 by sundown
- Die Autobahn ist die schnellste Verbindung zwischen den Städten.The motorway is the fastest connection between the cities.
- Es gibt eine Baustelle auf der Autobahn. Bitte fahren Sie vorsichtig.There is a construction site on the motorway. Please drive carefully.
- Die Landstraße wird zur Autobahn, sobald wir die Grenze nach Bayern überqueren.The country road becomes the motorway as soon as we cross the border to Bavaria.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are planning a road trip.
- JuliaFahren wir über die Autobahn?Are we going via the motorway?
- MaximilianJa, das ist am schnellsten.Yes, that is the fastest way.
- JuliaIch mag die Fahrt auf der Autobahn.I like driving on the motorway.
- MaximilianAber pass bitte auf.But please be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “motorway” translations and entries Autobahn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
