Gleis
/ɡlaɪ̯s/
The German word for track is Gleis.
Schienen can serve as an alternative to track.
Meaning: a song or other relatively short piece of music, on a record, separated from others by a short silence (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡlaɪ̯s/
Did you know?
- At German railway stations, Gleis refers to the specific track number, while Bahnsteig refers to the physical platform where passengers stand.
- While Gleis is used for physical railway tracks, it is rarely used to describe a musical 'track' on an album. For music, Germans almost exclusively use the English loanword 'Track' or the term 'Lied'.
- The root of Gleis comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *leys-, which meant 'to trace' or 'track'.
Examples in context
- Mein Geschäft ist schließlich auf das richtige Gleis gekommen.My business has at last gotten on the right track.This sentence shows how to use Gleis in a metaphorical sense regarding a business.Tatoeba #1817381 by Tamy, translation #250999 by U2FS
- Durch ein Stück Eisen, das auf den Gleisen lag, ist der Zug entgleist.The train was derailed by a piece of iron on the track.This sentence demonstrates a physical situation involving Gleis and a train.Tatoeba #344990 by lilygilder, translation #273384 by Zifre
- Der Zug fährt auf Gleis sechs ein.The train arrives on track six.
- Er läuft gerne auf der Tartanpiste.He enjoys running on the tartan track.
- Die Radfahrer fahren auf der Rennbahn.The cyclists ride on the race track.
- Komm zum Bahnhof, der Zug fährt gleich vom Bahnsteig ab.Come to the train station, the train will depart from the platform soon.
- Der Radweg verläuft entlang der alten Trasse der Bahnlinie.The bike path runs along the old track of the railway.
- Der Zug darf die Geleise nicht verlassen.The train must not leave the track.
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are discussing a new music CD.
- HannahHast du das neue Album schon gehört?Have you listened to the new album yet?
- FelixJa, ich finde das dritte Gleis besonders gut.Yes, I find the third track particularly good.
- HannahIch stimme dir zu, das Gleis ist ein Hit.I agree with you, that track is a hit.
- FelixWelches andere Gleis gefällt dir noch?Which other track do you like?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Gleis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Gleis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
