Bahnhof
/ˈbaːnˌhoːf/
The German phrase for "train station" is Bahnhof.
Bahnhof refers to a place where trains stop for passengers to get on and off.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of Bahn, meaning train or track and Hof, meaning yard or court.
Which one should you use?
Bahnhof is typically used for a major station. For a small, unmanned stop or halt, the term Haltestelle is often used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Bahnhof is a masculine noun. When it is the direct object of a sentence, such as "I see the train station", it becomes den Bahnhof.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaːnˌhoːf/
Did you know?
- In German slang, the phrase den Bahnhof nicht verstehen literally means 'not understanding the train station', but it is used to mean that someone is completely confused or has no idea what is going on.
- During the Cold War, some Bahnhöfe in divided Berlin served as 'ghost stations' where trains passed through without stopping while the platforms remained sealed.
- Some major Bahnhöfe in Germany have their own zip codes because the buildings are so large and handle so much mail.
Examples in context
- Wo ist der Bahnhof?Where is the train station?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the Bahnhof.Tatoeba #544538 by jakov, translation #638544 by CM
- Ist das hier der Bahnhof?Is this the train station?This sentence is useful for confirming if a location is the Bahnhof.Tatoeba #1460450 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1460446 by piksea
- Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?How can I get to the train station?This sentence is useful for asking for directions to the Bahnhof.Tatoeba #561024 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #432779 by aliene
- Ich möchte zum Bahnhof gehen.I want to go to the train station.
- Wo befindet sich der nächste Bahnhof?Where is the nearest train station located?
- Lass uns zum Hauptbahnhof gehen.Let's go to the train station.
- Der Hauptbahnhof liegt mitten in der Stadt.The main train station is located in the city center.
- Geh geradeaus, bis du den Bahnhof siehst.Go straight until you see the train station.
- Wo ist der nächste Bahnhof?Where is the nearest train station?
- 88 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are standing on a street corner in a city.
- HannahIst der Bahnhof weit von hier?Is the train station far from here?
- MaximilianNein, er ist gleich um die Ecke.No, it is just around the corner.
- HannahDanke, Maximilian!Thanks, Maximilian!
- MaximilianGerne, Hannah.You're welcome, Hannah.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Bahnhof, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
