der
Fahrschein
🎫 What Exactly is a 'Fahrschein'?
The German word der Fahrschein (masculine) is a document, usually made of paper or digital, that serves as proof of payment for a journey on public transport (like bus, train, tram). It entitles the holder to use the respective means of transport for a specific route, time, or zone.
Essentially, it's a Fahrkarte or a Ticket. The term is composed of "fahren" (to travel/drive) and "Schein" (meaning certificate, slip of paper, bill).
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse der Fahrschein with der Führerschein (driver's license)!
Grammar Corner: Declining 'der Fahrschein'
The noun "Fahrschein" is masculine. It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Fahrschein |
| Accusative | den | Fahrschein |
| Dative | dem | Fahrschein |
| Genitive | des | Fahrschein(e)s |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Fahrscheine |
| Accusative | die | Fahrscheine |
| Dative | den | Fahrscheinen |
| Genitive | der | Fahrscheine |
Example Sentences
- Bitte zeigen Sie Ihren Fahrschein vor. (Please show your ticket.)
- Ich muss noch einen Fahrschein für die U-Bahn kaufen. (I still need to buy a ticket for the subway.)
- Mit diesem Fahrschein können Sie den ganzen Tag fahren. (With this ticket, you can travel all day.)
- Die Kontrolleure überprüfen die Gültigkeit der Fahrscheine. (The inspectors check the validity of the tickets.)
- Kannst du mir kurz Geld für den Fahrschein leihen? (Can you lend me some money for the ticket quickly?)
When & Where: Using Your 'Fahrschein'
The term Fahrschein is the most common and general expression for a ticket on local public transport in Germany.
- Context: Mainly used in connection with buses, trains (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, regional trains), and trams. For long-distance trains (ICE, IC), people often prefer Fahrkarte or Ticket, although Fahrschein is also understood.
- Typical Verbs: einen Fahrschein kaufen (to buy), lösen (to purchase, often at a machine), ziehen (to get from a machine), entwerten (to validate/stamp), vorzeigen (to show), kontrollieren (to check/inspect).
- Types: There are various types of tickets, e.g., Einzelfahrschein (single ticket), Tageskarte (day ticket), Wochenkarte (weekly ticket), Monatskarte (monthly ticket), Gruppenfahrschein (group ticket), Kurzstreckenfahrschein (short trip ticket).
- Comparison: Die Fahrkarte is a very close synonym and often interchangeable. Das Ticket is an internationally understood loanword, also used frequently. Das Billett is rather outdated or used regionally (e.g., Switzerland).
Handy Mnemonics for 'Fahrschein' 💡
Article Aid (der): Think of der Kontrolleur (the male ticket inspector). Der Kontrolleur wants to see den Fahrschein. Although the word ends in '-schein', which can sometimes be neuter (das Mondlicht - moonlight), here it relates to 'fahren' (travel) and the document needed – like der Schein (the banknote) you might pay with.
Meaning Aid: A Fahr-Schein is a 'Schein' (slip of paper, certificate) you need for 'Fahr'-en (traveling). Simple as that!
Similar & Opposite Terms ↔️
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning)
Antonyms (Opposite concepts)
- There isn't a direct antonym. However, conceptually you could consider:
- das Schwarzfahren: The act of traveling without a valid ticket (fare dodging).
- die Freifahrt: A journey for which no ticket is required (e.g., for children under a certain age, severely disabled persons under certain conditions).
Similar but different words
- der Führerschein: Driver's license. Nothing to do with public transport tickets, even though both contain "Schein".
- der Parkschein: Parking ticket (for a car).
- der Gutschein: Voucher or coupon.
Time for a Laugh: Ticket Humor 😂
DE: Fragt der Kontrolleur im Bus: "Ihren Fahrschein, bitte!" Sagt der Fahrgast: "Wieso? Fahren Sie schwarz?"
EN: The ticket inspector on the bus asks: "Your ticket, please!" The passenger replies: "Why? Are you traveling without a ticket?" (This plays on the double meaning - the inspector asks for the passenger's ticket, but the passenger twists it as if asking if the inspector himself is fare-dodging, 'fahren Sie schwarz?').
Poetic Journeys 📜
DE:
Der Bus hält an, die Tür geht auf,
ein jeder steigt nun ein im Lauf.
Doch bevor die Reise weitergeht,
ein kleiner Zettel wichtig steht.
Der Fahrschein, schnell gezückt, gezeigt,
damit die Fahrt erlaubt auch bleibt.
Ob kurz, ob lang, ob nah, ob fern,
den Fahrschein hat man immer gern!
EN:
The bus stops, the door opens wide,
Everyone gets on, stride by stride.
But before the journey moves ahead,
A little paper's importance spread.
The Fahrschein, quickly pulled and shown,
So that the ride is rightly known.
Whether short or long, near or far,
The ticket's welcome, near the star!
A Travel Riddle 🤔
DE:
Ich bin ein Schein, doch kein Geld,
ich öffne dir die weite Welt –
zumindest die der Stadt im Nu,
mit Bahn und Bus fährst du.
Man kauft mich, stempelt mich, zeigt mich vor,
sonst stehst du schnell vor geschlossenem Tor (oder zahlst drauf).
Was bin ich?
EN:
I am a 'Schein', but not money bright,
I open up the world to sight –
At least the city, quick and fast,
By train and bus, your die is cast.
You buy me, stamp me, show me round,
Or face a fine, on solid ground.
What am I?
Solution: Der Fahrschein (The ticket)
Extra Tidbits 🤓
Word Composition
The word "Fahrschein" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Fahr- : Stem of the verb "fahren" (to travel, to drive, to ride)
- -schein : Noun "der Schein" (here meaning certificate, proof, slip of paper; not meaning light/shine or banknote, although payment is involved).
So it literally means a "travel certificate".
Digital Tickets (Digitale Fahrscheine)
Increasingly, tickets are purchased and displayed digitally via smartphone apps. The term "Fahrschein" or "Ticket" remains common even for these digital versions.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fahrschein?
The word Fahrschein is a masculine noun. The correct forms are der Fahrschein (nominative singular), des Fahrscheins (genitive singular), and die Fahrscheine (nominative plural). It means 'ticket', especially for public transportation.