der  Bürgersteig

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʏʁɡɐʃtaɪk/

🚶 What exactly is a 'Bürgersteig'?

Der Bürgersteig (also known as Gehweg or, in some regions, Trottoir) is a path intended for pedestrians, usually elevated, running alongside a street. Its purpose is to separate pedestrians from vehicle traffic and provide them with a safe area to walk.

It's a compound noun made up of "Bürger" (citizen) and "Steig" (path, track, climb). Historically, it was the path for the citizens, separate from carriages and riders. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

⚠️ Be careful, 'Bürgersteig' is always masculine: der Bürgersteig.

📐 Grammar Corner: Declension of 'der Bürgersteig'

The noun 'Bürgersteig' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Der Bürgersteig war voller Menschen.
   (The sidewalk was full of people.)
2. Pass auf, dass du nicht vom Bürgersteig auf die Straße fällst!
   (Be careful not to fall off the sidewalk onto the street!)
3. Wir gehen auf dem Bürgersteig spazieren.
   (We are walking on the sidewalk.)
4. Das Fahrrad gehört nicht auf den Bürgersteig.
   (The bicycle doesn't belong on the sidewalk.)
5. Die Reinigung der Bürgersteige ist Aufgabe der Anwohner.
   (Cleaning the sidewalks is the residents' responsibility.)

🚦 How and When to Use 'Bürgersteig'

'Bürgersteig' is the most common term in most parts of Germany for the sidewalk next to the street. It's used in everyday language. In English, this translates to 'sidewalk' (American English) or 'pavement' (British English).

• Context: Urban and rural environments, traffic situations, giving directions.
• Comparison:
  • Gehweg: A very common synonym, often perceived as more neutral or technical.
  • Trottoir: More common in Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, often perceived as slightly more elegant or old-fashioned (from French).
  • Fußweg/Gehsteig: Other synonyms, usage varies regionally.

You can talk about auf dem Bürgersteig gehen (walking), laufen (running), stehen (standing), or even (illegally) parken (parking) or Rad fahren (cycling).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Der Bürger (the male citizen) walks on der Steig (the path/climb - often masculine in compounds like der Fußsteig). So, it's der Bürgersteig.

Remembering the Meaning: Imagine the Bürger (citizens) of a town walking safely on a raised Steig (path) next to the carriages. That's the Bürgersteig.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Warum wurde der Bürgersteig verhaftet?

Er hat ständig Leute angerempelt! 😉

(Why was the sidewalk arrested?
It kept bumping into people!)

✍️ The 'Bürgersteig' in Verse

Der Bürgersteig, grau und breit,
liegt neben Autos, jederzeit.
Für Fußgänger ein sich'rer Pfad,
hhoch überm Straßenrad.
Man flaniert, man eilt, man schaut,
auf diesem Weg, von Stein gebaut.
Ein Schutzwall für den Bürger hier,
der Bürgersteig, das ist sein Revier.

(The sidewalk, grey and wide,
lies next to cars, always nearby.
For pedestrians, a safe path made,
high above the street's parade.
People stroll, they hurry, look around,
on this path, built on stony ground.
A protective wall for citizens here,
the sidewalk, that's its sphere.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich liege an der Straße Rand,
bin für den Fußgänger bekannt.
Autos fahren neben mir,
doch sicher gehst du hier.
Mal breit, mal schmal, mal hoch, mal tief,
mein Name klingt fast wie ein Brief
an Stadtbewohner, Schritt für Schritt.
Wer bin ich? Nimm den Artikel mit!

(I lie at the edge of the road,
For pedestrians, I'm well bestowed.
Cars drive right next to me,
But here you walk safely, you see.
Sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, high or low,
My name sounds like a message to citizens, you know,
Step by step. What am I? Include the article, quick!)

Solution: Der Bürgersteig

ℹ️ Interesting Facts about 'der Bürgersteig'

Word Composition:

The word 'Bürgersteig' is a compound noun, composed of:

• Bürger: Refers to the citizens of a town or community.
• Steig: Means path, track, or climb.

So the original meaning was "path for the citizens".

Regional Differences:

As mentioned, there are regional differences in terminology. While 'Bürgersteig' and 'Gehweg' are widespread, you might hear 'Trottoir' more often in the South and neighboring countries.

Trivia:

In many German cities, cycling on the Bürgersteig is prohibited unless specifically allowed by a sign (e.g., "Radfahrer frei" - "Cyclists free"). However, children up to a certain age are often allowed to use the sidewalk.