gute Reise
The German phrase for safe journey is gute Reise.
gute Reise is a common way to say safe journey in German. Another option is Gute Fahrt, which translates to good ride and is used to wish someone a safe journey when traveling by car or other transportation. If someone is traveling back to their own home, you can also use the alternative Komm gut nach Hause (Get home well).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase gute Reise literally translates to 'good journey'.
Which one should you use?
While gute Reise focuses on the quality of the trip being 'good', it is the standard idiomatic way to express 'safe journey' in German.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase gute Reise, the word gute is the feminine singular form of the adjective gut to match the feminine noun Reise.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'safe journey' is a fixed phrase, Germans can swap gute for other adjectives like schöne to wish a 'beautiful' journey, which is equally common and carries a similar sentiment.
- While gute Reise is used for general travel, Germans use Gute Fahrt specifically for vehicles. Using gute Reise for someone just driving five minutes to the store might sound strangely dramatic to a native speaker.
- If you are using a plane, you would almost never say Gute Fahrt, as that would imply you are wishing them a good 'drive' through the air.
Examples in context
- Gute Reise!Safe journey.This example shows how to use gute Reise to wish someone a safe journey.Tatoeba #340916 by MUIRIEL, translation #757404 by sctld
- Gute Fahrt mit dem Zug!Have a good train ride
- Einen angenehmen Flug!Have a pleasant flight
- Ich wünsche dir eine gute Reise.I wish you a good journey.
- Gute Reise nach Berlin!Have a good journey to Berlin!
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are saying goodbye at the train station.
- JuliaDer Zug fährt gleich ab.The train is leaving soon.
- FelixJa, ich muss jetzt gehen.Yes, I have to go now.
- JuliaGute Reise, Felix!Safe journey, Felix!
- FelixDanke, Julia!Thanks, Julia!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
