Geländer
/ɡəˈlɛndɐ/neuter
The English word 'rail' can be translated into German as Geländer. If unsure, use Geländer. Wiktionary also lists (naut.) Reling.
Meaning: horizontal bar, railing (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Geländer | /ɡəˈlɛndɐ/ | neuter |
| (naut.) Reling | feminine |
The term refers to a horizontal bar or a railing.
Which one should you use?
Geländer is the general term for a railing, such as those found on stairs or a balcony. In contrast, Reling is a specialized term used specifically for a ship's guardrail.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Geländer is neuter, so it is used with the definite article das (e.g., das Geländer).
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈlɛndɐ/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'rail' can refer to a train track, German uses the distinct word Schiene for that purpose.
- The word Geländer comes from the root Gelände, which means 'terrain' or 'site'.
- The word Reling may share an ancient ancestor with the English word 'rail', potentially tracing back to the Latin regula.
Examples in context
- Tom lehnte am Geländer.Tom was leaning against the rail.This sentence shows how to use Geländer to describe leaning against a rail.Tatoeba #2853250 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2853082 by CK
- Die Züge fahren auf den SchienenThe trains run on the rails
- Die Eisenbahnstrecke verbindet die beiden StädteThe railway line connects the two cities
- Wir überquerten die GleiseWe crossed the railway tracks
- Die Eisenbahnstrecke wird renoviert.The railway line is being renovated.
- Bitte bleiben Sie von den Gleisen fern.Please stay away from the tracks.
- Wir treffen uns am BahnhofWe're meeting at the train station
- Bleib vom Gleis wegStay off the track
- Pass auf das Gleis auf!Watch out for the track!
- Die Kinder spielen auf den SchienenThe children are playing on the railway tracks
- Das Geländer ist sehr stabil.The railing is very stable.
- Bitte fass das Geländer nicht an.Please do not touch the railing.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are walking down a staircase.
- HannahJulian, pass auf das Geländer auf.Julian, watch out for the railing.
- JulianWarum? Ist es kaputt?Why? Is it broken?
- HannahJa, das Geländer ist hier sehr locker.Yes, the railing is very loose here.
- JulianDanke für den Hinweis, Hannah.Thanks for the heads-up, Hannah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rail” translations and entries Geländer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Reling, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
