der  Express

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛksˈpʁɛs/

🚆 What exactly is an 'Express'?

The German word der Express (masculine) primarily has two meanings:

• Express train: A particularly fast train that only stops at major stations. Synonyms include Schnellzug or Eilzug. Example: „Wir nehmen den Express nach Berlin.“ (We are taking the express train to Berlin.)
• Express delivery/service: A service for the rapid transport of letters, parcels, or messages. Often used as 'Expressversand' (express shipping) or 'per Express' (by express). Example: „Ich schicke das Dokument per Express.“ (I am sending the document by express.)

🚨 Attention: Although the word originates from English, in German it is masculine (der Express).

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Express

The noun „Express“ is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences 📖

• Der Express fährt pünktlich um 8:00 Uhr ab. (The express train leaves punctually at 8:00 AM.)
• Die Abfahrtszeit des Expresses wurde geändert. (The departure time of the express train has been changed.)
• Ich sitze bereits in dem Express nach Hamburg. (I am already sitting on the express train to Hamburg.)
• Hast du den Express noch erreicht? (Did you still catch the express train?)
• Mehrere Expresse fallen heute wegen des Streiks aus. (Several express trains are cancelled today due to the strike.)
• Die Route der Expresse wurde optimiert. (The route of the express trains has been optimized.)
• Mit diesen Expressen reist man sehr schnell. (One travels very quickly with these express trains.)
• Die Bahn setzt zusätzliche Expresse ein. (The railway company is deploying additional express trains.)

💡 How to use 'der Express'

The term Express is always used when speed plays a central role, whether in travel or services.

• In the travel context: When speaking of an Express, it almost always refers to an Expresszug (express train). Example: „Der nächste Express nach Frankfurt fährt von Gleis 5.“ (The next express to Frankfurt departs from platform 5.)
• In the service context: Here, Express refers to rapid processing, usually for shipping or delivery. One speaks of Expressversand (express shipping), Expresslieferung (express delivery), or says something is sent per Express (by express). Example: „Für dringende Sendungen nutzen wir den Express-Service.“ (We use the express service for urgent shipments.)
• In compounds: The word often appears in compound nouns, such as Expressbrief (express letter), Expressgut (express goods), Nachtexpress (night express).

Compared to a normal train (Regionalbahn, S-Bahn), the Express is significantly faster and stops less frequently. Compared to standard shipping (Standardversand), Expressversand is more expensive but guarantees faster delivery.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Express'

Remembering the article: Think of the Express man (masculine, like 'der Mann' - the man) who hurriedly delivers packages or drives the fast train. Der Mann fährt den Express (The man drives the express).

Remembering the meaning: The word sounds like “exactly pressing”. An Express is for things that need to arrive exactly now and quickly (it's pressing), whether it's the train or the package.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Beware of confusion: The word Espresso (the strong coffee) sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Express-Zug nie Langeweile?
Weil er immer auf dem Sprung ist! 😉

(Why is the express train never bored? Because it's always ready to leap/on the go! - 'auf dem Sprung sein' means to be ready to leave or on the verge of doing something)

📜 A Poem about the Express

Der Express, so schnell und flink,
bringt dich ans Ziel, geschwind wie ein Wink.
Ob Brief, ob Paket, ob Reise geschwind,
er eilt durch das Land, getragen vom Wind.
Kein Halten, kein Zögern, die Zeit drängt sehr,
der Express ist da, was willst du mehr?

(The Express, so fast and nimble,
takes you to your goal, quick as a blink.
Whether letter, parcel, or swift journey,
it hurries through the land, carried by the wind.
No stopping, no hesitation, time presses hard,
the Express is here, what more could you want?)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich rase auf Schienen, halte selten nur an.
Ich bringe dein Päckchen viel schneller voran.
Mein Name verspricht dir Geschwindigkeit pur.
Wer bin ich, sag schnell, auf der eiligen Tour?

(I race on rails, I rarely stop.
I bring your package much faster along.
My name promises you pure speed.
Who am I, tell me quickly, on the hasty tour?)

Solution: Der Express

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word „Express“ comes from the Latin verb exprimere, meaning „to press out“ or „to send out“. It entered German via French (exprès) and English (express).

Trivia: The famous „Orient Express“ was a luxurious long-distance train connecting Paris with Constantinople (now Istanbul), epitomizing stylish travel.