das  Gleis

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡlaɪs/

🛤️ What Exactly is "das Gleis"?

The German word das Gleis (neuter gender) primarily refers to the track used by rail vehicles, especially trains and trams. It typically consists of two parallel Schienen (rails) fastened to Schwellen (sleepers/ties).

• Main meaning: The structure of rails and sleepers on which trains run (railway track, train track). In German: Eisenbahngleis, Bahngleis.
• Figurative meaning (less common): Sometimes used figuratively, e.g., "jemanden aufs richtige Gleis bringen" (to put someone on the right track) or "aufs falsche/tote Gleis geraten" (to get sidetracked, to be on the wrong track, to reach a dead end).

🚨 Note: Although a Gleis consists of multiple Schienen (rails), the word Gleis in the singular is neuter ("das Gleis"). A single metal rail is called "die Schiene" (feminine).

🧐 Grammar of "das Gleis"

"Gleis" is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Zug fährt auf Gleis 5 ein. (The train is arriving at platform/track 5. - Dative, often without article for track numbers)
2. Die Reparatur des Gleises dauert mehrere Stunden. (The repair of the track takes several hours. - Genitive Singular)
3. Viele Gleise führen zum Hauptbahnhof. (Many tracks lead to the main station. - Nominative Plural)
4. Die Weiche leitet den Zug auf ein anderes Gleis. (The switch directs the train onto another track. - Accusative Singular)

🚂 When to Use "Gleis"?

"Das Gleis" is mainly used in the context of railways, subways (U-Bahn), and trams (Straßenbahn).

• Bahnhöfe (Train stations): At stations, trains are assigned to specific tracks (Gleise). "Zug nach Berlin fährt heute von Gleis 7 ab." ("Train to Berlin departs from track 7 today."). Here, "Gleis" often also refers to the area on the platform adjacent to that track.
• Streckenbau (Track construction): In the construction and maintenance of railway lines, people talk about Gleisbau (track construction), Gleisbett (track bed), etc.
• Figurative language: As mentioned above, there are idioms like "jemanden aufs richtige Gleis bringen" (to put someone on the right track) or "auf dem Abstellgleis stehen" (to be sidelined, no longer important).

Difference from "Schiene": die Schiene (feminine) refers to the single metal rail, whereas das Gleis (neuter) refers to the entire track (usually two rails + substructure).

Difference from "Bahnsteig": der Bahnsteig (masculine) is the raised platform where passengers wait. The Gleis runs alongside it.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gleis"

For the article (das): Think of technical, neutral things often being das in German. Imagine pointing and saying: "Das is das Gleis!" Also, it ends in 's', like many neuter nouns (e.g., das Haus, das Glas), though this isn't a strict rule.

For the meaning (track): The word Gleis sounds a bit like the English word "glide". Trains glide smoothly on the Gleis.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar sounding words:

• der Grieß: (semolina) Sounds similar but is completely unrelated.
• greis (adjective): (old, aged, hoary) Usually used for people.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum summen Bienen am Bahnhof?

... Weil sie auf die Bummel-Züge warten!

English Translation: Why do bees hum at the train station?

... Because they are waiting for the slow trains!

(A pun: 'Bummelzug' means slow train, and 'bummeln' also sounds like 'humming/buzzing'. It's not directly about 'Gleis', but fits the station theme! 😉)

📜 Poem about the Track (Gleis)

Das Gleis

Ein Band aus Stahl, durch Stadt und Land,
Von Menschenhand fest eingespannt.
Das Gleis, es führt, bei Tag und Nacht,
Hat Züge sicher heimgebracht.

Zwei Linien, endlos scheinen sie,
Ein Weg voll Kraft und Energie.
Mal laut, mal leis',
Reist man auf dem Gleis.

---

The Track (Translation)

A band of steel, through town and land,
Firmly installed by human hand.
The track, it leads, by day and night,
Has brought trains safely home alright.

Two lines, they seem to have no end,
A path where power and force transcend.
Sometimes loud, sometimes low,
On the track, the journeys go.

❓ Little Riddle

German:

Ich habe Schwellen, doch ich schlafe nicht.
Ich habe einen Kopf (Bahnhof), doch kein Gesicht.
Züge fahren auf mir hin und her.
Sag schnell, wer bin ich, bitte sehr?

Lösung: das Gleis

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English Translation:

I have sleepers, but I do not sleep.
I have a head (station), but no face to keep.
Trains travel on me, back and forth they steer.
Quickly tell me, who am I, my dear?

Answer: das Gleis (the track)

💡 More about "Gleis"

Etymologie (Etymology): The word "Gleis" comes from the Middle High German word "geleis(e)", which meant "track" or "rut". It is related to the verb "gleiten" (to glide, slide).

Zusammengesetzte Wörter (Compound words): There are many compound words formed with "Gleis", e.g.:

• das Bahngleis (railway track)
• das Nebengleis (siding)
• das Abstellgleis (siding, storage track; figuratively: sideline)
• der Gleisbau (track construction)
• der Gleiswechsel (changing tracks, switchover)
• das Gleisdreieck (wye, railway triangle junction)