Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bremsschwelle | /ˈbʁɛmsˌʃvɛlə/ | feminine, formal |
| Bodenschwelle | feminine, formal | |
| Fahrbahnschwelle | feminine, formal | |
| Hubbel | /ˈhʊbəl/ | masculine |
| Verkehrshubbel | colloquial, masculine, regional |
While Bremsschwelle specifically refers to a man-made speed bump, Hubbel can also refer to a natural bump or unevenness in the road.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term Bodenschwelle translates to 'floor threshold'.
Which one should you use?
Bremsschwelle is the formal or technical term used in official traffic regulations or by authorities. In contrast, Hubbel can describe natural bumps in the road. Bodenschwelle and Fahrbahnschwelle are also formal options for a speed bump.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For official contexts, use the formal terms Bremsschwelle, Bodenschwelle or Fahrbahnschwelle. In casual conversation, Hubbel is an option and Verkehrshubbel is a colloquial option.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Verkehrshubbel is a regional and colloquial term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Bremsschwelle is Bremsschwellen. The plural form of Hubbel is Hubbel (the word does not change in the plural).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbʁɛmsˌʃvɛlə/
Did you know?
- The word Hubbel shares a common ancestor with the English word 'hill'. Both can be traced back to an ancient root describing a bend or a joint.
- In German, the root Schwelle refers to both a traffic bump and the physical threshold or door sill of a room.
Examples in context
- Achtung! Innerhalb des verkehrsberuhigten Bereichs befinden sich zahlreiche Verkehrsberuhigungsmaßnahmen, wie zum Beispiel Bodenschwellen.Caution! There are numerous traffic calming measures within the traffic-calmed area, such as speed bumps.
- Pass auf die Schlaglöcher auf dieser Straße auf, sie ähneln manchmal Geschwindigkeitshügeln.Watch out for the potholes on this road, sometimes they resemble speed bumps.
- Die Bremsschwelle ist sehr hoch.The speed bump is very high.
- Achtung, vor uns ist eine Bremsschwelle.Watch out, there is a speed bump ahead of us.
- Man muss vor der Bremsschwelle langsam fahren.One must drive slowly before the speed bump.
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are driving through a residential neighborhood.
- FelixPass bitte langsam über die Bremsschwelle.Please go slowly over the speed bump.
- LauraIch habe sie schon gesehen, Felix.I have already seen it, Felix.
- FelixDiese Bremsschwelle ist wirklich sehr hoch.This speed bump is really very high.
- LauraJa, das ist gut für die Sicherheit.Yes, that is good for safety.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speed bump” translations and entries Bremsschwelle, Hubbel, Verkehrshubbel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bremsschwelle, Hubbel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
